LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE --- Hebrews 12:1.
"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us." --- Hebrews 12:1.
He that runs and wants patience will never get to the end of his race; for in the race of God's commandments men have foul play: One comes and rails on him for his zeal, for running so fast, when he thinks himself so slow, another gives him a blow and strikes him down: and up he gets and runs again.
Every man will make room and give way to him that is in a race here; while he that runs the heavenly race may expect, and will find, many stand in his way, and stop him all they can, so that he will have great need of patience: without it everything will offend him. What is a wise man, a zealous man, without patience? He will bear nothing, suffer nothing, and can do no great good.
David had many enemies that spake mischievous things against him, and laid snares for his life; but he was a deaf man that "heard not, and as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth." Saul was twice in his power, yet he would not avenge himself of him: he wanted neither courage nor wisdom; he had a stirring spirit, a working head, was sensible of wrongs, knew himself innocent, his adversaries malicious; his thoughts must needs be troubled, yet he is his own man under all; he committed his cause to God, his patience was in execise, and he waited God's time of deliverance.
Christ's active and passive obedience made him in a complete Mediator. May thy active and passive obedience, reader, make thee a complete Christian.
Awake, our souls, away our fears,
Let every trembling thought be gone;
Awake, and run the heavenly race,
And put a cheerful courage on.
From Christ, the overflowing spring,
Our souls shall drink a fresh supply;
While such as trust their native strength,
Shall melt away, and droop, and die.