In Hebrews 12 this morning I’m reminded that I need to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith . . . that I need to lay aside every weight and sin which can so easily trip me up . . . and that I, with endurance, need to run the race set before me (Hebrews 12:1). Kind of comes across as a “command to obey” to me. But I’m also made aware this morning from my reading in Isaiah 58 that it’s possible to go through all the motions of running the race without ever really getting on the track. I can buy the new shoes . . . get the cool t-shirt . . . slide on my headband . . . clip on my water bottle . . . do a couple of deep-knee bends . . . stretch out a bit . . . go through all the motions, but never really leave the starting line. In Isaiah’s day it was a pious, self-promoting approach to fasting . . . doing the pious thing . . . but never really entering the race. But for those who get on the track . . . for those who enter the fray . . . for those who run the race . . . some pretty amazing promises in Isaiah 58 that I think are applicable . . .

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, “Here I am.” . . . And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. . . . then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth . . .    (Isaiah 58:8, 9a, 11, 14a ESV)

Talk about your “if God is for us” types of promises! Our righteousness, aka His imputed righteousness by faith, before us and the glory of the LORD behind us watching our backs . . . God on 24/7 speed dial immediately answering our cry with, “Here I am!” . . . He our guide in the desert and our living water when we’re parched so that even in the wilderness we encounter an oasis . . . knowing a joy and a delight which transcends circumstance for they are found in Him, the One who will make us ride on the heights. Promises made to those who run the race.

God wasn’t impressed with ancient Judah’s frequent fastings. Though they were clothed in self humiliation, they were actually self-promoting . . . though they were intended to display a contrition they actually resulted in conflict . . . they though should have drawn the one fasting nearer to God, they continued to forsake the ways of the Lord. They were all dressed up . . . no place to go. They played the part but were determined to do it according to their own script. They had on their “Air Jordans” but never attempted a lay up much less a slam dunk. Registered for the race, but never got on the track.

But for those who look to Jesus . . . for those who, by the grace of God and through the power of the Spirit, seek to shed the rock-filled backpack of self . . . for those who care less about how they’re dressed and more about how to run the race, God is prepared to show Himself present and powerful through His promises.

It’s when we sincerely seek to run the race that we encounter the reality of the living God in our lives. It’s when we fix our eyes on Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,” that we know the Spirit’s infusing power so that in our struggle we do not grow weary or fainthearted (Heb. 12:2-3). It’s when we quit playing games and start pursuing the way of the kingdom that we’ll hear God say, “Keep on! I’m here” . . . that we’ll know the glory of God as our rear-guard . . . that we’ll be watered with waters that do not fail . . . and, in it all, that we’ll be filled with a delight that comes from encountering God along the way . . . a joy transcending any other human experience.

Some pretty amazing promises . . . sufficient for what can sometimes be a pretty tough race . . .

Run the race . . . realize the promises . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory . . .