Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses … let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

My image of the “great cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 12:1 used to be everyone I’d ever known cheering me on in a long, grueling race. Then I noticed the word “therefore” and realized the author of Hebrews was connecting this chapter to the one that came before. Hebrews 11 is like a “Great Hall of Faith” of biblical heroes who remained firm in their belief that, even in adversity, God is faithful to His promises. God had asked a great deal of them, and they were commended for their faith. These heroes of faith are among our great cloud of witnesses, urging us on in our race of faith. They did not yet know that God would send Jesus, but they believed and embodied how “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Jane Wilke
Woodbury, MN

Lord God, thank You for all the saints of faith, past and present, who demonstrate what trust in You looks like. Keep me faithful to the end. Amen.

Reflect: Who do you know who has modeled trust in God’s faithfulness? How might that help you today?

Read: Hebrews 11 and Hebrews 12