Those Who Have Gone Before Us
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1.
There are many who have gone before us, as we are told in the portion of scripture above. Those from ancient times dealt with many sorrows, set-backs, and tribulations.
We could learn much from them, that could help us particularly at this important and difficult time in history.
How would Abraham or Isaiah have handled this present crisis that we now still find ourselves dealing with?
Would they immediately go to their favorite radio or YouTube preachers and find out the answer? I don’t think so, for they knew much better where the answers would have been found.
I also don’t believe that they would have been caught-up in many of the speculations and stories that we are now constantly flooded with.
These are those who are not merely spectators, but rather they spur us on to encourage us to continue in our walk with The LORD.
We are to be inspired by their examples of faith and endurance. One would think of a cloud as something that would contain much within it. For indeed, there have been millions who have gone before us, and they have fought the good fight.
Many of them endured much more than we have in many ways, and yet they didn’t give up, but rather, they pressed onward.
The patriarchs died without obtaining the promise, and yet in faith they pursued that promise knowing that they would receive it. For they looked to that country which was not an earthly one, but rather one that was heavenly.
We are told that through their faith that they conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
We are told further that they were chained, mocked, tortured, and even sawn in two, traveling the deserts destitute and without comfort. But instead they ventured on, looking to that heavenly city that they knew that they would inherit.
The only road map that they had was their faith, and that was their driving force that led them forward. And now we actually have much more than they did.
For we have the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, the counselor that will guide us into all truth and will also show us those things which are to come:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come,” John 16:13.
With all of the opinions and voices that would attempt to tell us what we should be doing, we must instead, follow the voice of The Holy Spirit. And then that cloud of witnesses may well join us in our continued journey to the way forward during these days.
Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson
Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?
Amen.