Your Challenge
Fix your eyes on Jesus and the finish line by reading Hebrews 12:1–3 every day for ten days.
Today’s Verse
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.—Hebrews 12:3
Today’s Devotion
Missionary William Borden wrote this guiding principle in the back of his Bible: “No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.”
Read it slowly once more.
Let’s claim Borden’s motto as our own! I’m convinced that if we serve Christ with the unshakeable resolve of William Borden, there will be fewer of us exiting the race of faith.
The original group of “weary and fainthearted” Christians knew that this phrase referred to a runner’s physical collapse at the end of a race. Hebrews 12:3 shouts for trudging runners to get to the life-giving water station—Jesus. By looking to His life and ministry instead of looking to ourselves, we’re replenished with His joy and cross-bearing faith to endure to the finish line.
Times of exhaustion are part of the training rigor as we run hard for God's kingdom. But when our field of vision is fully captivated by Jesus, His selfless love and sacrifice compel us to put one foot in front of the other. What if when:
- We are weak and have so little left to give, we look to Jesus for His strength to persevere. He is “the true vine” (John 15:1).
- We doubt our calling and effectiveness, we look to Jesus for His assurance to press on. He is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
- We are discouraged and confused, we look to Jesus to penetrate the darkness with His light. He is “the light of the world” (John 8:12).
As Jesus’ earthly ministry was drawing to the end, He set His face resolutely toward Jerusalem, fully aware of the suffering He would endure (Luke 9:51).
Before we run another lap, let’s set our face like flint on the goal (Isa. 50:7). Let’s renew our commitment to prove that Jesus is Lord and worthy of our worship by the way we lead. In the end, we will finish strong—not because of our faithfulness—but because of His (1 Cor. 1:8–9).
May we be able to say when we take our final victory lap:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:7–8)
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the victory that is mine through our Lord Jesus Christ. Help me rely on Him to remain “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord [my] labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:57–58).
Reflect and Respond
- Express William Borden’s motto in your own words and turn it into a prayer of commitment and surrender.
- What lessons about self-control, focus and discipline do you learn from 1 Corinthians 9:24–27?
Running Further
- Think about the legacy of people who finished strong to the end. What stepping stones will you leave for the next generation of leaders to follow?
- Read through Hebrews 12:1–3 one last time. What fresh truths about Jesus will you never forget?