Lay Aside Every Weight
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that
clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before
us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our
faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne
of God.
Consider him who endured such hostility
against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In
your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding
your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as
children –
“My child, do
not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are
punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises
every child whom he accepts.”
Endure trials for the sake of discipline.
God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not
discipline?
We all struggle. We are all tested. We
also believe and understand that we will never be tested beyond our endurance
levels. No matter what our spiritual maturity level is, we will be tested,
again and again. It is how God makes us strong. Pray to God. Listen for the
quiet voice you receive in prayer. Know that you have not been forsaken.
The Christian life is one that involves
endurance, discipline and correction. We never get beyond the need of a holy
striving against self and sin. Sometimes the struggle is exactly what we need
to become what God intends us to be.
We experience God’s strength in the
strain of our struggle.
Our Daily Bread –