Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
God has fulfilled His promise in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! So let's look to Him as our example. Certainly if the folks mentioned in the "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11 endured what they did in obedience to God, we can endure for the sake of Jesus' name.
When we talk about running the race with endurance, it's important to look to Jesus as our example. The most important clause, to me at least, in the verses above is "who for the joy set before Him..." Jesus endured the cross because He knew what was coming -- life with the Father at His right hand.
We know what's coming too -- eternal life with our Father in Heaven -- and with our Lord Jesus Christ, when we run with endurance and are faithful in obedience to what we've been called to here on earth. This is the joy set before us! We must remember that earth is not our home - and that there is so much more to look forward to. As Paul reminds us,
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:17-18
Our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison! We can't even comprehend our eternal glory. That is a good reason to run with endurance!
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