What Is It There For?

Warriors Arise: March 5, 2022

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I am surrounded by His cloud of witnesses.

I am surrounded by people who have served God faithfully to the very bitter end. Thankfully, my situation in life is nothing to what Paul records in Hebrews 11. In listening to my dad deliver a message one time, he said, "When you see therefore, you have to see what it is there for." Therefore, is similar to "if, then" sentences. Therefore is a comparison word of encouragement. You and I are surrounded by those who have stood the test and won. They remained faithful under the worst circumstances. Circumstances I am thankful I have never had to face but may come for my children or my grandchildren. Why is it so difficult for us to take a stand against the lies of the enemy and those who scoff at our faith and shake their fist at our God?

Hebrews 11:35-40 (NKJV) Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

These witnesses of Jesus died for believing in Jesus Christ. They stood against the tyranny of their time and did not turn from God. We can draw strength from knowing their testimony in their trial of faith in Jesus Christ. We can read what they went through and be encouraged to stand against the wiles of the enemy, the lies of the deceiver, and the slander of this world. The world thinks they lost but the world cannot conceive the bigger win. They won heaven. They won living eternally with God. Yes, their life here on earth ended early, but they gained so much more than what this life has to offer.

Going further back in chapter 11 we have more testimonies of those who faced adversity and the enemy who sought to take their lives early.

Hebrews 11:30-35 (NKJV) By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.

These followed God's plan. It wasn't easy but they looked for their help to come from the Lord. They were face to face with the enemy who wanted to kill them. They called out to God and He answered. He made a way for their escape. He called back to life, restored kingdoms, and shut the mouths of lions. That means they were dead and were given their life back. That means their kingdom was taken from them and in some cases nothing but rubble and God made a way for it to be rebuilt. That means they were in the lions den and didn't get eaten, because God intervened.

I am not here to answer why God allowed passage for some to enter heaven early and others to remain here living out the miracle of extended life, kingdoms rebuild, and the mouths of lions shut. I am saying we can embrace the fact that we have testimonies of those who stood and gained back what was taken from them and we have those who were given their right of passage into heaven early. You and I are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. These witnesses stood their ground and walked through the door God opened for them. They called upon the Lord their God and saw His intervention. They lived their lives for God and because of God. They lived stirring up their faith, because of their love for God. They recognized His love won either way.

I am surrounded by His cloud of witnesses.

Father, You are awesome in all of Your ways. I am thankful for the Bible. I am thankful for every testimony of Your amazing love. I am thankful for all who have gone before me. Their testimonies give me strength to stand against the tactics of the enemy. Their testimonies are strength to my bones and courage to my heart. I will look to You, because You see me. I will call to You because You hear me. I will follow You because You make a way for me. I will worship You all the days of my life in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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