Hebrews 12:1 NIV – ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…’
Sometimes it feels like we’re the only ones to ever experience our specific problems. No matter how illogical that idea is, feelings are strong and right now you may be feeling alone. You might even be thinking ‘Am I out here all alone?” The truth is you are not alone!
Hebrews 11 records the remarkable feats of faith accomplished by various people in the Old Testament. These people fought and struggled immensely as they waited for the object of their faith to manifest. Because these Old Testament saints obeyed God and never gave up, they eventually saw His blessings surface in their lives. Still, nearly all of them endured great hardships and challenges before their victory came.
To let us know that we’re not alone in our walk of faith, the writer of Hebrews says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” This phrase carries the following idea: “Therefore seeing these biblical examples are piled up and lying all around us on every side….”
The Bible is piled high with examples of people — people just like you — who stood in faith and endured difficulties in order to do the will of God. You are surrounded on every side. They saw God’s promises come to pass in their lives because they held fast to the Word. You are not alone and your situation is not impossible!
✦ Look at Noah and the fight he endured. ✦ Look at Abraham and the fight he endured. ✦ Look at Sarah and the fight she endured. ✦ Look at Jacob and the fight he endured. ✦ Look at Joseph and the fight he endured. ✦ Look at Moses and the fight he endured. ✦ Look at Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets and the fight they all endured.
Today, take time to read some of the examples from the Old Testament. Then turn to the New Testament to read more examples of faithful people. If you’ll commit even a few minutes to reading, I believe you’ll see yourself in some of the battles they faced. You’ll be encouraged to continue on! Your heart will be uplifted knowing that you can overcome! Like you, they faced hardships and challenges. Their experiences aren’t so different from yours.
And don’t think that these godly examples start and stop at the Bible. If you look closely, you’ll see that there are many “never-give-up” people living on this earth right now. Ask God to open your eyes. Maybe it’s a parent or a neighbor or a pastor or a person in church you never noticed before that’s walked in your shoes and came out on the other side. Don’t let the devil trick you into thinking that you’re the only one who has faced your specific hardships.
When you feel discouragement creeping up, just remember the many examples piled up all around you of people who endured and later won their prize!
PRAYER: Lord, Your Word says nothing is impossible to those who believe, so I am putting my faith in Your promises. I fully believe that what You did for those faithful believers in Hebrews 11, You will also do for me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.