Heavenly Applause

For most of us, we enjoy the occasional pat on the back to keep us encouraged. We have an inherent need to know that someone is on our side and that they are proud of us. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

We are told by the writer of Hebrews that we have a heavenly “cheering section” that continues to root us on as we run the “race marked out for us”. Who is it that sits in the stands of heaven to cheer us on? If you have read Chapter 11 of Hebrews, which I highly suggest that you do, you will find a list of Old Testament saints that have gone on before us. Individuals such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David, Samuel, and those who were martyred for their faith cry out to us saying “we made it and so can you”. Their lives are a witness and a testimony that faith can endure to the end and that God rewards those who remain faithful. Despite overwhelming circumstances, they stayed the course and they fought the good fight. (2 Timothy 4:7) These same victorious saints of the Old Testament are a part of a glorious fan base that is routing you on from eternity to model your life after theirs and stay the course. Their message is in line with the Marines Motto, “Semper Fidelis”, which means “Always faithful”.

This is not the entirety of your fan base. There are also those who have lived in the era after Christ that are beckoning you toward the finish line. My wife lost her grandmother a couple of weeks ago. She was a woman of faith that endured to the end. She joins this “cloud of witnesses” that is stirring me and my family forward, to complete the journey, to finish the race. Many of your beloved family members have also preceded you in joining this heavenly body, pointing you to Jesus and to the finish line.

Young William Wilberforce was discouraged one night in the early 1790s after another defeat in his 10 year battle against the slave trade in England. Tired and frustrated, he opened his Bible and began to leaf through it. A small piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor. It was a letter written by John Wesley shortly before his death. Wilberforce read it again: “Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that (abominable practice of slavery), which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might.” (Daily Bread)

Please know that when life seems to be overwhelming and you feel that you want to give up, my advice to you is to be very still and you might here a faint cheer. It is the cheer of those who have been in your same predicament, struggled with same issues, yet they persevered in their faith. They say to you, “we did it, and so can you.” Semper Fidelis!

Ch P