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)

Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly trusted the Father. Even when facing the suffering of the cross with all its shame. Trusting the Father’s will, Jesus looked beyond the momentary suffering to the eternal joy of the Father’s right hand. And so He prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)

Hearing God, that is knowing and doing His will, requires faith. The race we are called to run must be run with endurance because there are things along the way to endure. The Christian life is not the comfortable life. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33) So tribulation we will have.

How do we endure?

Consider the cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11. These were men and women like you and me. They were sinners given to doubts and fears and struggles. But they trusted God. What God desired from them is what He desires from us, that we trust Him wherever He leads and through whatever befalls us.

Look to Jesus. Jesus is the “author,” or captain and leader of our faith. He leads us to faith and in faith, showing us by His life of faith what it truly means to trust the Father. He is the finisher, or perfecter, of faith. He fulfilled the ideal of faith in His earthly life. He is the fully sufficient object of our faith. And in us He is growing and developing our faith.

As we seek God’s plan for our lives, He will take us places we never could have anticipated and into situations we never would have chosen. And through it all His will is for us to trust Him, rely upon Him and thus do His will.

“If the objective of God is that we would depend upon Him, then weakness is an advantage.” –Allistar Begg