Article

 Matthew McDonald - July, 2024

Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV) “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

When I observe those around me at my local church, I see many of all ages eager to work for the Lord. Zeal is a wonderful thing. It is necessary for the growth of the Church. However, I understand it becomes difficult to maintain that level of enthusiasm as time goes by. A common problem is the amount of work that needs to be done. It requires many hands to make a workload light. Yet, there are circumstances that can prevent the sharing of burdens. Some work in a church with few members, making it difficult to gain the help required for the necessary work. Others participate in a ministry that few have interest in which makes it frustrating to find assistance. While we need to be willing to help our brothers and sisters when needed, there are times when one finds themselves alone with only the Lord to rely on.

Our trust in the Lord should be all that we need, but mankind is forgetful of God’s goodness. This can lead to a simple question that everyone faces at one point or another. What can one person do? That’s an inquiry that I myself am struggling with on various occasions. The world is full of problems, far too many for any one person to fix. It’s easy to become overwhelmed. The work is never-ending and often thankless. How many times does someone come up and thank you for doing the right thing? I guarantee it is not as often as you might prefer. While a Christian does not live for man’s applause, the occasional thanks goes a long way. Lack of appreciation and tiresome work makes it easy to become weary in well-doing. At times, it might seem better to give up.

This is where Hebrews 12:1-2 comes into play, in particular, the cloud of witnesses. In the Bible, there are many examples of men and women of faith that had to stand alone. When Elijah faced Ahab and Jezebel, he stood alone against a vile king and queen that slew the prophets of God. David had no one to support him when he challenged Goliath, a mighty man that no other soldier in Israel was brave enough to fight. Daniel, a righteous man condemned by the machinations of malevolent men, had no one to go into the lion’s den with him. What did they have? They had their trust in the Lord. 

These men turned the world upside down. Elijah was used to show the power of God when he faced the prophets of Baal. Fire rained down from heaven and the children of Israel started turning back to the Lord. David slew Goliath and sent the Philistines fleeing. He became a legendary warrior in the eyes of Israel unlike any they had witnessed before or since. Daniel survived the lion’s den and prospered while his enemies were eaten in the same lion’s den. Meanwhile, the king proclaimed that all should respect the Lord. Each man had to stand alone against their foes with no one to share their load. Still, God made them victorious over those that opposed the Lord and his people. Every time, God’s power was displayed in their lives. These three men are a few examples of our great cloud of witnesses. (We would be here much longer if we named everyone and went into their lives in detail.)

What can we learn about today from these three? It is normal to stand alone. There is a modern misconception that “might makes right” and numbers control the truth. The Bible teaches otherwise. A stronger force, greater numbers, and political power did not dictate what was right and wrong. As Christians, those principles come straight from God’s word. Due to this difference between the faithful and the rest of the world, it is not uncommon for God’s people to find themselves in opposition with the world. What we cannot lose sight of is that we are not the first to be in this position. Many have come before us. They were used by God for his glory and finished their race successfully.

They serve as examples that we can follow, but they are not the greatest example. As the latter part of Hebrews 12:1-2 instructs, we must follow Christ. He spent his life ministering to those around him, drawing them closer to God. No doubt, those closest to him wanted those days to never end. However, he was not meant to stay on earth forever and establish his kingdom in Israel. Jesus followed God’s plan even when the flesh warred against him. He was mocked, beaten, nailed on a cross, and died. After three days, he was raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God. This was all part of the Lord’s marvelous plan for mankind.

Similarly, God has a purpose for our lives. Often, we cannot see it. When we work, we may not see the fruits of our labor. When Elijah first faced Ahab and Jezebel, he did not know he would train Elisha, a man who would perform great works for the Lord after he was gone. After David slew Goliath, he did not know that Jesus would come from his lineage or his son Solomon would build a temple for God. When Daniel was first taken into captivity, did he expect to be raised to a position of great power? I would suspect not. None of these men could have anticipated their exploits to be read about thousands of years later. The life of one person has a ripple effect that can reach far beyond what the mortal life can physically touch with the assistance of the Lord. We must not grow weary in the task at hand. Even if we stand alone, we cannot forget that the Lord is with us and he will increase our efforts far above what we believe possible. Let us remain busy until we join that great cloud of witnesses.