Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Devotion:Thinking of the Lord’s providence and our obedience, they may seem like two very different things. They appear to be two separate ideas entirely. However, as the message from this past week discussed, these are two of the main themes that we glean from Ruth 2. We see how, time after time, the Lord provided for Ruth and Naomi. And we see how, day after day, Ruth is obedient to the Lord and His plan for her life. Though the book of Hebrews was written after the life of Ruth, she exemplified what it looks like to live out our Scripture for today. It addresses these same two ideas: God’ providence and our obedience.
Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
You might be wondering what this says about providence and obedience because, even after reading the Scripture twice, you can’t seem to find it. Arguably the greatest act of providence (if you can say such a thing) from our God was the provision of Jesus. We so desperately need a Savior, every single one of us. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate from the tree that they were forbidden to. But right after the fall and the curse, we see the first promise of the Messiah to come. God said to the serpent in Genesis 13:5, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” The one who will crush the head of the enemy, resulting in death of the enemy once and for all, is Jesus. The Lord, in His providence, has always planned to provide us with a Savior.
Regarding this passage from Hebrews and obedience, it is about running the race that is set before us. We know that God has ordained our steps and has good plans for us. He will use us for His purposes and to further His Kingdom. We must simply turn from our sin, fix our eyes on Jesus, and walk the path that the Lord has put in front of us.
Part of our obedience is our response to Jesus. Out of great love for God, who made a way for us where there was no way, offering us eternal life through His Son, we desire to live our life according to His will. Ruth turned from her sin in Moab, she fixed her eyes on her Lord as she headed to Bethlehem, and she walked the path that her Heavenly Father had put in front of her, trusting His plans for her.
Reflect:
- How can you strive to be like Ruth and live like it says in Hebrews 12:1-3: turning from your sin, fixing your eyes on Jesus, and running the race that He has set before you?
