Perseverance is tough. Sometimes discouragement can completely take over and I lose sight of my purpose. Satan’s whispers lead me down this road of lies that I’m not good enough or not worthy enough. Is it easy to listen to those lies? Absolutely. But Scripture is stronger than lies. Hebrews say, “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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” 

This passage follows what can be called ‘The Hall of Fame of the Bible,’ which talks about the faith of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and more. What the author is doing here is reminding us that we can follow the pattern of those ‘heroes of faith’ and continue to run the race.

Our faith must be perseverant.

Paul goes even further in his second letter to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day….” 

We have a great hope; the GREATEST hope.

And not only is it a great incentive to remain faithful, but it is the reward to remaining faithful. The writer of Hebrews continues talking about Jesus, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Jesus literally defeated death on our behalf so that we might have a relationship with Him. And His example—above all others—is the best one to follow. Even in the trials and temptations, let’s remain faithful.