When storms of difficulty and seasons of doubt arrive, God’s presence is our Guide to peace. Consider the purpose of a lighthouse: it guides the storm tossed sailors away from the hazards of the sea. We look to Jesus as our Light House to guide us in times of uncertainty and difficulty. Images created using Night Cafe Studio.
Rend Collective’s Song reminds us of God’s Light and Consistency
Why Rend Collective Wrote “Our Lighthouse”
The Journey: Our Focus
Corrie ten Boom reminds us:
“Look around and be distressed, look within and be depressed, look to Jesus and be at rest.” — Corrie ten Boom
The crashing waves, storm winds, and heavy seas distract us from following His Light. Previous article
Insights: Audience of Hebrews
The author of Hebrews writes to a group of persecuted and troubled believers:
Excellent read on the original audience
Biblical Foundations explains the situation:
“the author addressed himself to a Jewish-Christian congregation and its leaders who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah—at least in considerable numbers—but who had later been tempted to revert to Judaism because of increasing persecution. You see, while Judaism was a recognized religion in the Roman Empire—a religio licita—Christianity was not. What this meant was that as long you were a pious Jew, you were protected; but if you converted to Christianity, and professed faith in Christ, you became the target of persecution, not only by the Romans, but even by non-messianic Jews.”
Their beliefs are costing them! Following Christ has made them a target. So what does the author encourage them to do?
Hebrews 12:1-3
A Call to Endurance
(2 Timothy 2:1–13)
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Insights and Commentary
Source: Enduring Word Bible Commentary
A.I image of man walking into eternity with a cloud of witnesses cheering him forward.
Cloud of Witnesses
“The author thought of many more than just the 18 specifically mentioned in Hebrews 11. The ancient Greek word translated cloud was a figure of speech indicating a large group, and this is so great a cloud of witnesses. That cloud probably includes great men and women of God who have come since those Hebrews 11 saints, known and unknown to history. We are also under angelic observation (Ephesians 3:10-11) and the world watches our faith and conduct. We are surrounded by them, as spectators in a stadium surround and observe the players.”
How we live matters! Our daily lives of faith sets an example. We have the “roll call” of faithful to consider when facing difficult seasons in our lives.
Sin that Entangles
“The sin which so easily ensnares us: The words easily ensnares translate a difficult ancient Greek word (euperistaton), which can be translated four ways: “easily avoided,” “admired,” “ensnaring,” or “dangerous.”
Sin holds us back on our races of faith!
Running with Endurance: The Race Set Before us
God has set before you – and each of us – a race. You must run it, and it will involve effort and commitment. Being passive never runs or wins a race. God wants us to run the race and to finish it right.
The race that is set before us: Race is the ancient Greek word agona, a word used for conflict or struggle of many kinds, and a favorite word of Paul (Philippians 1:30, Colossians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7).
Let us run with endurance: What is needed is endurance, to finish what we have begun in Jesus Christ – a race that is set before us.
i. “He stands with us at the starting-point, and earnestly says to us, not ‘Run,’ but, ‘Let us run.’ The apostle himself is at our side as a runner.” (Spurgeon)
iii. Endurance is needed to run that race. Endurance translates the ancient Greek word hupomone, “which does not mean the patience which sits down and accepts things but the patience which masters them… It is a determination, unhurrying and yet undelaying, which goes steadily on and refuses to be deflected.” (Barclay)
Walking in faith requires endurance and determination!
Looking to Jesus
“Looking unto Jesus means life, light, guidance, encouragement, joy: never cease to look on him who ever looks on you.” (Spurgeon)
Verses 2-3 are vital
“In the ancient Greek, looking unto Jesus uses a verb that implies a definite looking away from other things and a present looking unto Jesus.”
We focus on Him. The original Greek word means:
“The Greek word for ‘looking’ is a much fuller word than we can find in the English language. It has a preposition in it which turns the look away from everything else. You are to look from all beside to Jesus.
A.I. Jesus stands on the rocky shore as the storm waves come crashing in. He is the Peace in our storms of life.
Author and Finisher
“b. The author and finisher of our faith: Jesus is not only the author of our faith; He is the finisher of it also. The idea of He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6) was comforting indeed to these discouraged Christians.
i. One may say that Jesus is with us at the starting line and the finish line and all along the way of the race that He sets before us.”
We set our lives on following Christ. His example and Ultimate Victory encourages us to keep pressing ahead in our journeys of faith.
“Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself: Even in their difficulty if they would consider Jesus they could be encouraged, not discouraged, knowing that they were following in the footsteps of Jesus. As Paul wrote, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:17)”
“Lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls: Knowing that Jesus doesn’t ask more of us than what He has Himself experienced, and that He knows exactly what we are going through keeps us from becoming weary and discouraged in your souls.”
Important Concluding Thoughts
This post seeks to encourage you to focus on Christ and His example. Consider these truths as applicable to your life:
- Focusing on Christ doesn’t immediately make the pain, sorrow, and disappointment cease in our lives! Nor do we minimize or try to explain away the real pains in others’ lives. Consider how Jesus interacts with those suffering. He offers presence and healing not theological sermons or spiritual platitudes. Healing is a journey!
- The call to follow Christ is a call to run with perseverance and endurance. Our faith and devotion will be tested. God will allow difficulties and struggles in our lives. We often will not understand or easily discern the “good” that comes from sorrow.
- Discouragement is part of the journey. There will be seasons of uncertainty, doubt, failures, etc. We will stumble and fall short. His grace is sufficient and His love certain.
- Jesus is our Light House. We don’t have control over the storms and waves of grief, but we choose to seek His Light and Presence which leads us to deeper peace and sense of security.
Words of Grace & Hope 