Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES

This entry was posted on 11-26-2007 and is filed under uncategorized.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sing which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV).

When the University of Texas football team takes the field everyone in the stadium stands and sings, "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You." This, presumably, inspires those down on the gridiron to put forth their very best efforts to win the game. Our text today suggests a spiritual "stadium in the sky."

So, who might be seated in the great cloud of witnesses? The "therefore" in the text takes us back to Chapter 11, the mighty heroes of faith, people like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. Do they witness our struggle with sin? Are they observing us as we run with patience the race that is set before us? Are they cheering for us like Jesus cheered for Stephen (Acts 7:56)? When I was young and participated in baseball, basketball and track, I remember hearing the voice of my father in the grandstand. I hope we all hear the voice of our Heavenly Father urging us on to greater efforts. Every felt like you are being watched? Well, we are being watched...by a great cloud of witnesses. Let's redouble our efforts today!

Hymn: "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; See, on the portals He's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. Come home, come home, ye who are weary come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O Christian, come home!" (Will L. Thompson - I have taken the liberty to change "sinner" to "Christian" to be in keeping with today's text. V.K.)