By Emily Wilkinson
Read Hebrews 11:39–12:1
Each time I log-in to Facebook and I search through my friends list and find people that I know, I remember something specific about each person. I graduated high school 13 years ago, and whenever a high school blast from the past appears on my computer screen, I am taken back to who that person was, what their character was like, what they really enjoyed doing, and ridiculous funny just between us moments. Then I pause and wonder how it is that they remember me. Was I kind to them? Did I show them that I really cared about them, or did I ignore them? Now I have to make the decision to ask them to be my cyberspace friend or not.
Hebrews has a list of those who had faith. You have had an opportunity to glimpse into their lives and see how it was that they lived. A summary of who they all were is this, “these were all commended for their faith.” (Hebrews 11:39). Read on to find out that “none of them received what had been promised.”(verse 40). None of them got to experience Jesus. They were all born before God sent his only Son to the world to die for our sins. But we get to hear how it was that Jesus lived! We have the incredible opportunity to know Jesus and to live our lives following His word and praising God for His Son. We have received the promise. God chose us and desires for us to know more of Him by watching His Son.
What about you? What about your faith? How will others remember you? Will they commend you for your faith? Will the Lord commend you for the way that you have lived your life?
Read Hebrews 12:1-2.
After the Hall of Faith, there is a challenge on how to live your life in a way that is faithful. We are to run! And while we are running, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He is to be our focus.
A new school year is just beginning. We want to challenge you to make Jesus your focus. Keep your eyes on Him. How do you do that? Open your Bible and read the stories about God, read about Jesus in the gospels, read pages from those who had faith. Keep Jesus as your focus. Run the race with others who believe (a “cloud of witnesses”). You won’t regret it! Now get to running…
Questions:
1) What kind of race do you want to run?
2) Who are your “cloud of witnesses”?
3) What do you want to do this year to grow in your love and understanding of the Lord?
Remember to pray for school starting! Ask the Lord to grow you in your faith in Him.
