Ready for the Race July 15

Scripture: Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12-13

Observation: God’s people are running a race that requires endurance. As part of the race, they will endure the loving discipline of a Father who cares for them. This discipline would be painful in the moment, but would later yield the fruit of righteousness. In light of this coming painful race, we should lift our hands, strengthen our knees, make straight paths for our feet, so that we can walk without stumbling. What does that mean?

Application: We need to be in top shape to endure the grueling miles ahead. God is saying, “The race will be hard. Get in shape!” Jessica is training for a half-marathon. This race requires her to get in shape, to run a disciplined regime to prepare for that race. Same is true in my spiritual life. Knowing that I must run with endurance the race set before me (v. 1), I need to be in top spiritual shape. This requires faith-based discipline, not sheer willpower. Not only to strengthen my hands and knees, but to remove obstacles—habits, strongholds, sins—that will trip me up down the road. Looking to Jesus in faith, I see that he disciplined himself to do what was needed for the race, not always what he felt like doing.

Prayer: God, as I look at my life I see a struggle with self discipline. I am far too often governed by feelings and inclinations than self control and restraint. This will not prepare me for the rough race ahead. Doing this blog helps give me a degree of accountability to meet with you. But in other areas as well, I need to be guided by fixing my eyes on Jesus and the race before me, not the feelings of the moment. Give me strong hands and knees. Show me the rocks in the road I need to clear out, that I may run and grow strong in You. Amen.