Read: Hebrews 12:1-11
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (v. 1)
Jesus ended his ministry on earth by commissioning his followers to be his witnesses in their immediate area, in the surrounding regions, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Hebrews 12 offers some helpful encouragement in this work. In the previous chapter, Hebrews 11, the writer has listed examples of faithful followers of God from early times—Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, and many, many more. They all lived as faithful witnesses of God and of the ways God worked in their lives. Then in Hebrews 12, we’re told that these souls are part of a great cloud of witnesses who cheer us on as we serve Jesus today.
Some of the people among that cloud of witnesses are the first Ugandan missionaries. More than a hundred years ago, missionaries came and camped near the Buganda Kingdom and began to teach about faith in Christ. Today there are more than 30 million followers of Jesus in Uganda.
We see the power of faithful witnesses all around the world. The gospel is bearing fruit on every continent. You and I, wherever we find ourselves, are invited to fix our eyes on Jesus and run the same race. May God bless and equip each one of us to be his faithful witnesses!
As you pray, thank God for the cloud of witnesses who encourage us on. Ask God to help you be his faithful witness always.
Rev. Titus Baraka is the executive director of Words of Hope Uganda. With more than forty years of experience as an evangelistic preacher and pastor, he is passionate about sharing the gospel.
Through radio programs of all types, from music, to Bible studies, to counseling, Words of Hope Uganda is claiming all assets of Ugandan society and culture for Christ. Words of Hope is empowering Ugandan pastors and churches to effectively nurture their people in the life of Christian discipleship. In the midst of this hard place, radio is bringing truly life-changing good news. To learn more about Words of Hope Uganda, visit our ministry pages.
