Hebrews 12:1-13  "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." 

Just like those who went before us.. all those, whose lives testified of their faith in the One True God.. may we also walk in faith.  Jesus is the "author" of faith.. the chief leader, the captain.. the prince.  He is also the "perfecter" or the finisher.. the completer.. the One who "raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith" ( Thayer Lexicon).   He is the Beginning and the End.. the Alpha and Omega.. of faith.  Of "our faith". 

Jesus.. "for the joy set before him.. 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." (v2-3)

We have the examples.. as listed in chapter 11.. but the greatest example of all.. is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He resisted sin "to the point of shedding.. blood" .. but we have not. Our hardships cannot compare.. yet..  we need His provision of faith..  When we consider Him.. and all that He went through.. we can be encouraged to keep persevering in the faith that He provides for us. 

What we can count on.. as the writer of Hebrews goes on to say.. is that we.. as the true sons and daughters of God.. will receive discipline from our heavenly Father. .  He will treat us as His own children.. and that sometimes involves hardships.. to cultivate in us what is good.  He will correct us, nurture us, instruct us and train us in His ways.  Sometimes.. often times.. that discipline is unpleasant.. painful.. but "it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it." (v11)

Verse 12 "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.."  Isaiah 35:3-4 makes a similar statement.. " Encourage the exhausted and strengthen the feeble..say to with anxious heart, take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.." When we are weary.. when we are experiencing the hardships and struggles.. we can receive them.. as God's training program.. just as an athlete might work through strenuous exercises to prepare for a race... working on the weak areas to become stronger..   God will train us ... helping us in our weaknesses.. when we look to Him in faith... knowing that He will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for us and in us. 

Verse 13 ".. and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather, be healed."  The reference here seems to be related to Proverbs 4:26-27 "Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil."  Staying on God's path.. running "with endurance the race that is set before us".. takes faith.  Faith that the witnesses showed us by their lives. Faith that Jesus provides. Faith that God will help us by training us in His ways. Faith that brings the promised reward.. righteousness and peace. 

Father in heaven, have Your way in us. Help us in our weaknesses.. strengthen our feebleness. Fill us with a greater faith and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  May we run the race You have set before us. May we not stray for the firm foundation, but keep going Your way, to do Your will, for the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ who lives in us.  It is in His name that we pray. Amen.