The Best is Yet to Come

Hebrews 11: 39-40 NIV
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something far better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Everyone I have ever met wants to be a winner in life. God wants us to succeed. He is interested in our success.

Pollsters today tell us that people across our nation are watching and looking to invest in something that will really make a difference. They want to make their lives count for something.
           
What about you? How will you make your life count?

Because the best was yet to come!

The roll call of faith is unfinished. More names are being added to the list in future generations. How can you and I be added to this roll call of faith?

The writer of Hebrews describes life in athletic terms. In chapter 12 and verse, 1 we are told that a great crowd of witnesses are watching us as we run our race of life from the grandstands.

Since all eyes are upon us, how shall we run this race of life?

Hebrews 11 gives us a “roll call” of faith. It is one of those unfinished chapters in the Bible. Each person is listed by name and then by the deed they performed in faith. However, verse 39 tells us that none of them, although they trusted God and won his approval, received all that God had promised them.
 
Why? We must...

1. Rid ourselves of weights. “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.”          Hebrews 12: 1

What was the weight? The sin that hold us down. You cannot run the race with weights on. Runners run light!

What weighs you down and needs to be laid aside?

There is a price to pay to be in this race! It requires rigorous, daily training.

“To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly award that never disappears.” I Cor.9:25

They know the best is yet to come!

2. Run the race! Get off the sidelines!
“ Let us run with patience that particular race that God has set before us.” Hebrews 12: 1

Every race has a goal, a finish line. You don’t run without a goal in mind.

“So I run straight toward the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow boxing or playing around.” I Cor. 9:26 The Message

I’m in it to win it!

What are you running for? What are you running to? What are you running from?
 
Don’t you realize, the best is yet to come?

3. Remember Jesus “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…” vs. 2
Every athlete has a coach to guide him to the greatest standards of excellence. That is what Jesus does for us, He’s our coach!

What did Jesus do? Willingly died a shameful death on the cross. Took our shame and was resurrected and seated at the right hand of the Father.
 
Why? He knew the best is yet to come!

“who for the joy that was set before Him…” vs. 2

Life is like  a marathon race, not a sprint, or a relay.

“In a race, everyone runs but only one person gets first prize, so run the race to win! I Cor. 9: 24

Why? The best is yet to come!

Reflect and ask yourself:
What is weighing me down?
Am I in the right race?
What is my goal?
Do I remember all that Jesus has done for me?

Lord Jesus, help me develop a  “marathon view” of my life by realizing that the best is yet to come. Would you help me see those weights that are in my life?

 Let me run my race of life well remembering all that Jesus has already done for me. Let me fix my eyes on Jesus and deny myself so I can be more like him.