Where was that great faith of Abraham (Abram) when he feared that Pharaoh, king of Egypt, would kill him for his wife, Sarai, so he lied to him and told Pharaoh that she was his sister? He even gained flocks, herds, and servants as a result. Wasn’t he following God’s leading? Why doesn’t the book of Hebrews name his failings, but instead lists how great his faith was?
When we are following God, sometimes we get off-track for a bit and lose faith. Most of the time we are still growing in faith and learning to trust God. God doesn’t count the number of times we fail. He sees the potential in us and encourages us along the way in our faith.
Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith, but Hebrews 12:1 says we have to actually enter this race of faith, looking to Jesus along the way in order for Him to finish it for us.
In a world where people choose to look at our faults and failings over anything that is good in us, God chooses to see what is good in us and uses it to make us better. So when you are down in your faith because of the things that are wrong with you, look up to Jesus because He is focusing on what is good in you. Pick yourself up and continue the race of faith.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 12:1-2
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