Let Us Run

This is the Truth Network. Welcome to Hope in the Morning. turning tragedies and tears into testimonies of hope, Every believer knows what it feels like to walk with sore feet and a weary soul. The road is long, the burdens are heavy, and sometimes the finish line seems impossibly far away. But friend, you're not traveling alone.

Today, we're going to explore how to keep running with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Joining me today is Pastor Dr. Danny Gumpricht. Danny, thank you for joining us today on Hope in the Morning. Thank you so much for having me, Emily.

It's a joy and a privilege to be able to spend this time. on the program.

Well, you were actually one of the pastors at my church, Twin City Bible Church, and we love our church. Part of why we love our church is because the teaching is excellent. It's deep, and you guys do what's called expositional teaching. And so you teach verse by verse, and you include the historical context behind it. And it just, it's very rich for our understanding of what scripture actually means.

And so I invited you on today because you had preached a sermon on Hebrews 12. And I just really thought it would be encouraging for our listeners today because, as we said in the intro. The race is not always easy. In fact, a lot of times it's not easy. And I think the older we get, the less easy it is.

So can you kind of open us up a little bit with Hebrews 12 and just kind of like what what made you decide that you wanted to teach on that? And what relevancy do you think that it could have to our listeners that that may be kind of running that uphill race right now? That's a great question. Thank you. And again, thank you again for having me.

Um Hebrews 12, 1 and 2 is a passage that's ministered dearly. To my own heart. It's a passage I seek to go back to through the years and just in my own private. Walk with the Lord and study, reflect on his truths. And from time to time, I think it's helpful to.

To bring that before a congregation. And so we were blessed to have an opportunity to preach in our church and thought, you know, in light of the truths from the passage, that. They often are just timely, and I think can minister to Christians because. The life that we live is post-Genesis 3, so we live a life in a world. With Shin with suffering, with death.

And that's true even in the life of Christians. We're not exempt from that. There's an old saying. God had one son without sin. but none without suffering, And so even for our Lord Jesus Christ, the path that he walked was a path of sorrow and suffering.

And so we're called to follow in his steps. At times we walk through Trials that can be very unexpected that break in.

Sometimes there's suffering that's prolonged. And often in the midst of that, every one of us gets... Weak, weary. discouraged And so When we brought And opened up the sermon. We were reminded of the scene in Pilgrim's Progress where It's described, Christian, as he's making his way ultimately towards the celestial city.

He comes across the place called Hill Difficulty. Where You read how he had been running. He goes from running to walking. Than from walking to really crawling on hands and knees uphill difficulty. And I think that captures sometimes.

For every one of us in the Christian life. We have moments where it is as if spiritually we're crawling on hands and knees. And so In the account, Pilgrim's Progress, it describes there's an arbor that the Lord of the Hill. provides so that weary travelers can stop, be refreshed, and then continue on. And so I think the Lord's Day gatherings are intended to be that, but then Sometimes there are certain passages of scripture that minister in a very unique way, gave in a strength.

And so I think Hebrews 12, 1 and 2 is one of those. And then you think of the situation for the church as they received that original letter. Many of them also We're experiencing great trial. We're facing real suffering. To the point that it seemed some were tempted to just throw in the towel.

call it quits, return back to their former life. And so Whoever it was that wrote it, certainly we know it's the Holy Spirit that authored Hebrews. He is calling the people to Consider the Lord Jesus. Keep your eyes on him. persevere in the Christian life, And then it kind of reaches that climax at Hebrews 12, 1, and 2, where it's almost the final exhortation.

Uh Yeah. and to run for your life. Yeah.

Well, and I love that in the same book of Hebrews, it talks about how we don't have a high priest who can't empathize with our weaknesses. And that is such, that's such a comfort to us to know that Jesus is not removed from our sorrows. He's not removed from the difficulties of what it looks like to walk in frail humanity. And he, unlike the rest of us, he chose that. He chose to enter into that for us because of his love for us.

And I was going to ask you, too, what would you say are some examples of hill difficulties that the average Christian might experience or should be aware of? Yeah, that's a great question. Could be different for every one of us, but... I think often some of those hill difficulties, maybe they are prolonged trials. Where Suddenly we come face to face with what's true all the time.

But we often forget it and it's just the reality that we're not in control. And sometimes there are things put in front of us that Try as we might. we can't get out of It's there. Could be a diagnosis. Could be a a difficult situation in a family You can pray and pray in a prolonged way.

But it seems often like even the Apostle Paul. in the midst of the thorn and the flesh. as he sought the Lord three times asking for God to remove it, The answer was No, that's going to remain. But as that remains... you continue to have to walk through that hill difficulty.

God's grace is sufficient.

So often in the midst of that, You think of even James chapter 1, counting it all joy. Where persevering, waiting upon the Lord, continuing to walk that path, trusting him. knowing that he's right. Knowing that he's good, seeking encouragement from his word and from his people, The Lord Ministers to us, strengthens us. And then there's even that wonderful ministry opportunity that comes about where.

The comfort that we receive from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 1. Yeah.

We're able to then use to comfort others in the midst of their distress. Um That's the things that come to mind. That's one of the scriptures that I think gets quoted most often here on Hope in the Morning because it's so true of like even why we share our testimonies. And we're going to talk about that a little bit further into this episode. The fact that the testimonies that go before us of our brothers and sisters that have endured and run the race with endurance, that's that's a hope to us.

That's a great encouragement to us. And that's what we do even here on Hope in the Morning where people share their testimonies here is they can say, look what the Lord has done. Yes, this was a difficult part of my race. This was a difficult part of my journey. For those that have come on with chronic illness, it's ongoing.

It may be all the length of their days that they are running this race that seems to be run with impossible difficulty. And yet they can look to other people who have already run that race and finished the race. And they can say, you know what? If they could endure to the end and still praise the Lord, I will do the same. Um Who would you say is someone that comes to mind as someone that you look to as an example?

as you run your own race. Yeah, it's a great question. I mean, there are testimonies of individuals within the life of the ministry here at Twin City. And I I think of them were up close. with what the Lord has brought into their life.

And I even want to be careful with sharing details of things, but you just in pastoral ministry, it's a joy and a privilege where you're walking alongside of. Other Christians up close. often in very intense Difficult circumstances. Especially when it's suffering that breaks in. and your heart goes out to them.

You're wanting to help them. Encourage them to keep their eyes on the Lord. And to walk up closely. through that, walking alongside of them. often not even knowing what to say.

But just the ministry of of your presence and praying for them. But through all of that, to see up close You know. They being able to express Say what Long ago Job expressed. The Lord gives The Lord takes away But he says, blessed be the name of the Lord. And you see that.

There's a certain credibility, a testedness of that faith. And so. Me that There are so many of that that minister to me and then Um I love and have been so helped by testimonies from church history. where that especially puts things in perspective for me when I think of challenges that I might be walking through. I see what other Christians have had to endure.

And You know, that helps give perspective. As well as The encouragement that They ran. By the grace of God I can run two. Yeah.

But needing to follow that same path. Yeah.

You know, and I will say for our listeners too, that you were one of the pastors that came to the house when my dad was on his deathbed and just came to not only minister to my dad, but I love the fact you and Pastor Carrie do this. And I just think it's a beautiful thing: you wanted to confirm with him his salvation, his relationship with the Lord. And That in the end, that's what matters in our run. And I hope that the believers that are listening today. will understand that yes, this race is hard, but ultimately, Our death is our reward.

As hard as that is to the world to understand, our death is our reward. That is when we get to see Christ face to face. It's when we no longer have sin over us. We no longer have the suffering or the tears. And so it's painful for those of us left behind, but.

Is our ultimate reward from the Lord? It's the Lord being gracious and saying, I will not allow you to suffer forever. I will call you home. And so we're going to continue this conversation and talk about. A question that I think a lot of Christians and unbelievers, probably even more so, unbelievers, But a question that goes through our minds a lot when we suffer, which is, is God in control of this?

Is God the one bringing on this suffering? And sometimes we want to we want to kind of um Make people feel better in the moment, saying, Oh, God would never cause that. God doesn't cause any suffering. But we're going to find out off the break whether or not that is true.

So stay tuned for the rest of Hope in the Morning. See Uh John 13, 35 says, By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. Do you know how to best love and serve your hurting brother or sister in Christ? Listen to Hope in the Morning and be equipped to offer the hope of Jesus to every hurting heart. To learn more or to partner with our ministry, visit us at hopeinthemorning.org.

Have you ever struggled to comfort a grieving friend? John 11:35 says, Jesus wept. When Jesus was told by Mary and Martha that their brother Lazarus had died, Jesus wept. Today on Hope in the Morning, we invite you to learn what it looks like to weep with those who weep. Learn what it means to sit in the ashes and be encouraged that even in our morning, there's hope.

His name is Jesus. Visit hopeinthemorning.org to learn more. As a grief counselor with years of experience, I can testify that Hope in the Morning is one of the best resources out there. Out of all the grief books I've purchased and that others gave me, this is the book that has helped me the most. These stories don't showcase the individuals as heroes who battled and conquered the worst.

The stories of Hope in the Morning provide a marvelous perspective, allowing the listener to focus on Christ rather than self. These stories remind me of who my Savior is and that there is truly hope in the morning. To learn more, visit us at hopeinthemorning.org. Welcome back to Hope in the Morning. I am joined today with Pastor Dr.

Daniel Gumbricht, and we are talking about running the race with endurance. Each of us are running a race. We're running that race to the celestial city. And for those of you that may be familiar with Pilgrim's Progress, we're kind of comparing a little bit of our Christian walk with that of Christian in Pilgrim's Progress. And one of the questions that we just left off before the break with is, does God bring trials and suffering into our life?

So, Danny, I'm sure that that's a question as a pastor that you've had to field a bit of. How would you answer that question? Mm-hmm. That's where What we believe about God. really is tested and examined and I think it reveals what our view is of him.

And so go into the scriptures. believing and affirming it is what it is. Breathed out by God. It is true. It is right.

authoritative and good and all that it speaks to. There's no way that we can get around it. But as Christians, there's a way that we can view it biblically: that when trials enter in and when suffering enters in. We think of Philippians 1. I believe it's 29.

To you, it has been graciously granted not only to believe in the Lord Paul says, but also to suffer for his sake. And so God in his sovereignty. brings about trials and and suffering. into the lives of Christians. No doubt, again, remembering we live in a world that is tainted by sin, sin brought in by the first man and woman.

And yet God Sovereign and in control over all things, including suffering sovereign over that. Where in the life of his people, he uses it. Ministerially, Often we may not see that in the moment. But he intends to use it in a way where someone can then understand And really grasp the promise of Romans 8:28. God is causing all things comprehensively, that includes suffering.

to work together for good. For those who love God, those called according to his purpose. And that good, we're told in the next verse, It's being made more into the image of Christ. Which You know, for a Christian. What is it ultimately all about?

What is it that we've been saved for? What is it that ultimately we are looking to and longing for? What makes heaven heaven? It's that Jesus Christ is there. Yeah.

And that there's come in a day. where we will be with him. beholding him face to face, And so in this life, in the midst of that suffering, God uses that. to of course it were tested were tried But maybe in some ways he's using it as a loving father to loosen our grasp of things of this world. helping us to see We're m we're made and meant for eternity with him.

It's so it makes me think of my all-time Christian Hero, Robert Murray McShane. uh pastored in the 1800s in Scotland. He had this line that always has gripped me: of thinking of suffering. He said, every wave of suffering. brings us closer.

the sunny shores. of a sinless eternity. Hmm.

So Though it's hard in the moment. God is sovereignly using that and bringing us closer than to that day in heaven when there's no sin. No sorrow. No suffering. No sickness.

But full perfect fellowship with our Creator and Savior. Yeah.

Our theology plays a tremendous role in the way that we view suffering and God within our suffering. And we talked about this before here on Hope in the Morning, but I want to reiterate the fact that that's one of the reasons why it really does matter what teaching you're underneath and what church you go to, because what you're being fed will inevitably play a huge role in the way that you filter your suffering. Because if you have a mindset that God is behind this and why would he allow me to suffer, if you have this concept of God, that he's just this big, powerful being that's shaking his fist at you and I just want to watch him squirm. You're not going to suffer well. But if you understand the character of our God, if you understand that.

It's because of his mercy and his compassion that you have. You have him coming down in frail humanity to save us. He delights in seeing us become like Jesus, like you had said, Danny. And if we can have that lens ever before us when we're suffering, it changes the way we suffer. That is why it's important too, and again, something that we really strive to do here on Hope in the Morning: that we are equipped as fellow believers to point one another.

to Christ, to the hope, to truths. Do you know the truth? Do you know good theology? Do you know who our God is and how he redeems our suffering? And we see in the story of Job, which is such a unique opportunity for us to see how God works in suffering, is that.

Satan intends it, and Genesis talks about this in the story of Joseph. But Satan intends it for our harm. But God, in his purposes and in the beautiful ways that he works, he will redeem it. He will use it for his glory and our good. But we we can either be hardened or humbled.

the trial. And as believers, We have to encourage one another to be humbled by that. As a pastor, what would you say to those listening? How can we be more equipped to walk alongside those that are having those hard moments in their race and continuously point them to the truth? Yeah, that's a great question.

I I you know, I think of simple things. making sure that we members of and connected to A Bible-believing, gospel-preaching, church. where regularly then we're sitting under The means of grace. Means of grace meaning How is it that God is intending to Grow us in the Christian life. Part of that being the corporate assembly, gathering to worship, remembering it's about him.

not even so much us, but giving him the worship that is due according to his word. Then from that, singing together, praying together, opening God's word and hearing him speak to his people. Through that, then, there's going to be an ongoing weekly. You know, we are being fed and taught and equipped. And then Even Seeking to be close with and involved in the lives of Other Christians seeking to encourage them.

walk alongside them. I think often ways that the Lord can use us is just opening up and sharing. what it is we're learning from the Scriptures, what truths we're meditating on, How that's been a help. I think at times being honest and open about challenges we might be having. and being humble enough to open up about that and then ask for For prayer?

As well as Taking time regularly to pray. Pray sometimes even No one else may know. But the Lord sees. And in ways far beyond we might ever realize, the Lord is using prayers of his people. To collectively encourage and help people on that path.

running towards the celestial city. But yeah, it all does indeed come back to that sitting under the ministry of God's word where it's taught rightly. A high view of God. And again, going back to, I think, the question you had a moment ago, again, listeners still might be wrestling with, yeah, but are you sure God is, God is, you're saying God's sovereign over this? Sin and suffering.

Well Look at what is the greatest act of evil that has ever been committed. where the sinless, spotless Son of God innocent and pure, was nailed to a Roman cross. And we read Alex. That Uh Peter in his sermon proclaims that he was delivered over according to the predetermined plan. and foreknowledge of God.

So God's sovereign over that, the greatest act of evil, bringing about the greatest good.

So certainly in closer, more intimate ways. True. True in the midst of suffering. Uh And then just to come back to, yeah, there no doubt are things we don't know, answers we can't give. But going back to God's character.

We know that he is most wise. We know that he is most good We know that he is all sovereign.

So indeed that's the very ground. upon which we stand and can trust him. Absolutely. I've thought about this a lot this past week and When people make the comment that, well, God's not the one that causes your suffering, God's not the one that allowed this, when they say that as a way to kind of, Offer that solace in the situation, you're actually taking it away. You're taking away the one hope and encouragement that we have in the midst of suffering, which is the fact that this is not by chance.

This is not in the hands of the evil one. This is in the hands of a righteous and holy God who truly loves you and has your good in mind. And so, as believers, for those that are listening, because if you are not suffering right now, I guarantee you, you're walking alongside someone who is. And so, we need to be equipped to handle our own suffering, but also to pour into the lives of those who are suffering beside us. And so, Speak truth.

That's what speaking truth in love is: being able to take these truths and saying, you know what? I know this doesn't feel good to hear this right now, and it might even be confusing to hear this right now, but. This is what scripture says, and this is true, and we can cling to that. And Danny, as you and I go to the same church, we have encountered quite a few hard things within our church and things that families have gone through that. Seem so either unrelenting or just completely inexplainable.

And there are some things that people have gone through that literally they're years past it and there are still no explanations for the death of their child or the diagnosis that they received. And yet that's where faith comes into play. And so, what would you say as a moment of encouragement as we kind of wrap up the radio portion of this to those that say, I don't understand, this does not look good or feel good to me. And I'm praying that God would deliver me from the circumstance and he's not. And I just don't get it.

What would you say to them? Mm. Maybe two things. uh for a believer, often a prayer we pray Should pray, ought to pray. is Lord I believe To help my unbelief.

And so we think of the life of faith, you go to the Psalms. that there is a whole expression of what real faith looks like. thinking of even the very lowest point of the life of faith in the Psalter. That'll be Psalm 88. Where It seems there is no hope.

The lights are being turned off. And yet still Even at the very start of it, look into the Lord. crying out to him.

So sometimes it's that prayer, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. And then Still just coming back. God doesn't owe us an explanation. But he is still who he is. He's worthy to be praised.

Um Maybe in time. Can I think of a Illustration gave by a pastor long ago: sometimes our lives are so confusing and perplexing with what comes about. And the illustration is like a tapestry. Underneath it, you see all the threads, and it doesn't seem to make sense. What is this thing that's being woven?

Mm-hmm. from above. really God's vantage point. Looking down, he's the master. Who is weaving together all of these threads to produce a beautiful.

Image. Where Maybe right now beneath it. Our current circumstances, we don't see at all. But God willing, on that day. at his side.

We will look see Understand? and even proclaim and worship. Look at what God has wrought. Mm. Well, and it grows our maturity.

The more that we suffer, like it or not, it will make you more mature. I've learned even from personal experience, and I bet you have too, Danny, that the more you've suffered, the quicker you come to praise the Lord in it. The first time. You're not as quick to do it because you're constantly thinking, this doesn't feel good. This is not what I was expecting.

This is not plan A that I had for my life. And I like what you said in the beginning, and we've said this before on Hope in the Morning too: is that the reality is that we all want to be in control. We all want to feel like we've got a plan, we're executing that plan, and we're somehow in charge. But the reality is, when you really look at it, especially from a theological standpoint, we control absolutely nothing. Nothing.

And there's an element of that that I think when you first hear that, it's like, oh, that's kind of scary to not have any control. But as you mature and learn more of the character of God, there's such a peace in that, in knowing that that doesn't mean that we don't strive to keep your tasks and keep your home in order and things like that. But The Lord is in charge of it ultimately. I've seen people that are the healthiest people I've ever known that work out constantly, watch everything they eat. They've died of cancer.

You know, I've watched people that. You know, had every desire not to have any children. The Lord said, Not your call, that's mine. You know, and it just, it's all in the hands of the Lord. And will we trust him with it?

And will we spur one another? To trust him. And I think part of that too, as we wrap this up real quick, part of that is that we have to keep our eyes open to one another, we have to be aware of what. What our brothers and sisters are going through. And so, when we come back, if you're listening to this on the radio, please join us on the podcast.

You can find us on YouTube or on a podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts. And we're going to talk about some really encouraging examples of brothers and sisters who have not only run the race, but they have run the race and endured. Thank you for joining us today on Hope in the Morning. All right. This is my favorite part because now we're not constrained.

The time constraints are always a little nerve-wracking to me. But going forth with that concept of looking to people that have gone before us and set that example, you know, I joke to my husband a lot that you remind me of like a young spurgeon, which is a huge compliment. Um You love to study. You love to study church history, and you're probably one of the most well-read people that I've ever met, especially someone that's like my contemporary. And so, who are some people that you have read their testimonies and you're like, man, this could encourage anybody going through anything?

Hmm.

There are many, again. Church history is such a wonderful place to go. Where There are just endless, endless testimonies. And sadly, it seems often it's an area that I think Christians are just not as familiar with. Maybe they know some of the high points, but it's as if the whole treasure chest have seen Christ accomplishing his purposes.

We keep it closed. And If we were to open it. and dive into it. Then we can begin to take in the rich treasures of some of these testimonies.

So there are many throughout church history that have ministered to me, probably at the top of the list, both their testimonies as well as their writings, how they meditated upon the scriptures and sought to. You know proclaim a high view of God. But then taking that and really pressing it into the you know, all the details of the Christian life would be looking to the Puritans.

So thinking specifically of the English Puritans. And then just north of them. Uh You could call them Scottish Puritans, but more accurately, you'd be calling them the Scottish Covenanters. And I'd say in recent years, especially, it's the testimonies of the Scottish Covenanters that The Lord has really used I think to humble me. to challenge me.

Again, to read of the things that they had to endure. to see how they were faithful to the Lord. Many of them to the point of death. Mm-hmm. Again, gives perspective, gives encouragement, gives strength.

And we seek to then take that in, and as a Christian, but also as a minister, then to take those riches and share them freely that others might be encouraged and strengthened. and maybe even stirred up to yeah open up that treasure chest of church history Dive deeply into it. What is one of the stories that you could share with us of one of the Scottish Covenanters? Yeah.

Uh there's one About a man by the name of John Brown of Priesthill. That I mean, for lack of a better word, it's just so moving.

So John Brown, a priest hill. He's a Scottish Covenanter. which maybe some context As the Reformation spread, As biblical teaching advanced, and the gospel was proclaimed. you know, both in England and in Scotland. Amidst all the challenges in the 15 and 1600s, even with who is it that's sitting upon the throne?

In Scotland specifically, God did amazing things where So many of the people even came together And in 1638, signed this covenant. It was known as the National Covenant, where collectively the people, so many of them signing it, are saying, We want Jesus Christ. to be exalted. He is the right king over the church. Not A human king.

So Christ and His word is supreme. Not an earthly king and what he dictates.

So that began to kind of press into. pressure of how worship was going to be done. Was it going to be done in a way according to what the king was demanding? Or honoring King Jesus and what his word says.

So fast forward Uh to about 1660. where Charles II Comes back upon the throne. in England, but still at that time has influence and reach over Scotland. Initially, when he came People in Scotland were excited thinking. He was going to be supportive of them.

In fact, he had promised some things that then, as he came upon the throne, He he was a hypocrite. He turned his back. Almost trick them. And began to bring about very intense persecution.

So from 1660 to 16. 88, the latter part of the period for the Scottish Covenanters, that's where, especially, it costs you something. to follow Christ. When Jesus says, if anyone's going to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross. and follow me I mean, day to day, they were feeling that.

So, real Christians had challenges. Pastors, especially, were challenged, many of them having to leave their churches. with secrecy even gather together There flocks Christians would gather out in fields. have worship services. all because constantly there were authorities.

The king would send out soldiers to seek out and really hunt down these Christians.

So, going back to this man, John Brown, a priest hill. He wasn't a pastor. He was a very simple, poor farmer, from what we read. but commit it to the Lord. With the simple knowledge that he had, he was trying to encourage other Christians.

It seems even he ministered to young children. It was trying to pass along the truths of Scripture to them. Yeah.

He sought to support and encourage other Covenanter pastors. And We read about this day that One of the great villains of church history, a man by the name of Graham of Claverhouse. He with solders went upon John Brown. arrested him. had him there at his home.

Again, very simple poor man. Uh We were questioning him about if he had supported and if he knew of the whereabouts of some of the other pastors. And Basically, it then was going to cost John Brown his life. We're told that Claverhouse said that Brown could pray, so John Brown got down on his knees and began to pray. Just before he did so, he turned to his wife Isabel, She pregnant.

holding one of their young children.

Some of the other children present there And John knew what was about to happen. And he even encouraged her. The time has come. Hmm.

So Brown gets down on his knees. He's praying. Evidently what he was praying began to bother Claverhouse. Were he even You know. Yells at him, I said you could pray, you aren't supposed to preach.

So then he orders some of the soldiers to then kill John Brown, to shoot him.

So John Brown has brought up Soldiers are ordered to do that. They have a measure of humanity? Where They're looking on John Brown. As well as his wife. pregnant with child, holding a young child, the other children present.

They basically say we we can't do this. And so th I mean, this is shocking and it's graphic, but what happened, Claverhouse then we're told takes his pistol. Shoots John Brown in the head point blank. Yeah.

John Brown you know, shot in the head, immediately he's killed, falls to the ground. Isabel you know, hands, I think, the child to another child. gets down takes a cloth and begins to cover up the you know, bleeding head of her dead husband. Hmm.

And Claverhouse, you know, quite just heartless and cruel, says to her You know, what do you think of your husband now? Hmm.

And she in that moment has grace to say, I've never thought more highly of him. Because in that final moment Even though it was going to cost him his life, he refused to deny Christ. She would not. go against King Jesus. And so Claverhouse and the soldiers go on.

You know, I take that and I just think he wasn't a pastor. He didn't have a large ministry. He was just a simple, faithful Christian. Mm-hmm. But was caught at this moment.

Is he going to deny Christ? and go with the crown. Or is he going to affirm? King Jesus is worthy of everything, my life, even if it were to cost me everything. Hmm.

And so that, again, gave perspective. That really was challenging to me, especially thinking of even as I'm married and I think of my own four precious girls. You know what it would be for that wife and those children to witness something like that. Mm-hmm. And then we're told later, God and his grace.

sustained Isabel. strengthened her. She was able to raise the children. She had support from other Christians. And then God used her.

to then encourage others who similarly We're facing the intense persecution. Just a simple little picture. Ordinary Christians What It Cost Them and yet the Lord helping and sustaining them. That testimony especially has been moving to me. Yeah, that's a very powerful testimony.

I appreciate you sharing that story. Just as a way of reminder, too, for our listeners, is that we have brothers and sisters around the world that are facing that still. This day, that they are facing persecution. It costs them everything to not deny the Lord. And us here in America We, you know, we.

We've not been asked. For things to cost us everything at this point. But are we prepared for that? And again, that goes back to like what are you being taught week to week? What are you feeding your own soul day to day?

Are you prepared for that? Are our children prepared for that? Are our children prepared to stand up to a world that is? ever increasingly hostile to the truth. They don't even acknowledge truth as truth anymore.

I mean, I tell my husband often that I feel like we're living in a Roman's world because the truth is no longer seen as truth. They've exchanged the truth for a lie. in so many different areas and our children are Our children are under that influence day after day. How are we as parents putting that hedge of protection around them? That's important.

It matters. It matters not only what we are teaching them in our own home, but what are the influences of the friends around them? Who are the influences of the church leaders around them? It matters. And so I hope if you're listening to this episode, You will start thinking, Am I at a good church?

Am I at a church?

Some people may not even be going to a church faithfully, and that is commanded to us that we do not forsake the assembly. It's very important, and I wanted to pivot a little bit here and talk about the fact that, Danny, as we run our race, and I'm sure, again, as a pastor, you probably have seen more of this even than I have. But people we stumble and we fall and we fail time and time again because in our humanity, We're still sinful. We still have that war between the flesh and our spirit. And so there are going to be times when we feel like I'm just, I'm a complete failure.

And we actually, the episode that just came out this past Tuesday was actually a young man who he was a believer and He had struggled when he was younger with drugs and alcohol, and he fell into that again one night. And he called his sister and he said, I can't keep doing this. I don't know why I keep falling into this. I can't do it anymore. And he took his own life.

Yeah, and I think that there are times when we run this race and we fail, and we feel like. Where do I go? Who can I go to that I can tell of these failings and get back on my feet and continue to endure? What do we do, Danny? Not if, but when we falter.

Good. Yeah, that I think goes back to how we view God, how we feel. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. in moments like that. understanding that that's the time to run to him.

not the time to run from him. Mm-hmm. And when we run to him. Which often running to him i mean this is something simple i seek to explain to my girls you run to him in prayer And when you run to him in prayer. Of course, opening up your heart.

Say in a moment like that when I have faltered, I've sinned. To turn to him, which even in that turning to him in prayer, I'm turning away from. my sin and I'm turning away from myself. And I'm turning to him. And I'm pouring out everything, knowing that he knows it all.

But on account of Christ, Through Christ I'm accepted. There's therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I approach him. Pouring out my heart to him, Think even in that There's an expression of humility. Which we think God God gives grace to the humble.

Hard to run from him. and think, okay, I'm gonna clean this up and deal with this myself. God God stiff arms the proud. I don't want to be stiff-armed by him. But in humility to approach, to confess.

Defined him. A Savior full of love, full of compassion, full of forgiveness. forgiveness that is forever. It is fall. It's it's final, it's instant.

It's comprehensive. And then define strength to then get up and to keep going. You think of the way even, you know, Christ incarnate. How was it that he treated and ministered to Someone like Peter. Where I think so many of us we can relate to Peter with his confidence.

Everyone's going to forsake you, but I will never abandon you. Yeah.

And yet with that confidence in himself, look where that got him. She Denies Christ three times, even that third time, you read the account, even using. Curses. In that moment where Christ looks at him and he's pierced to the heart. You fast forward.

You know. Christ puts the finger on the issue and presses him, do you love me? Do you love me more than these? And even in that act. There's conviction, but it's the Lord Jesus restoring him.

dealing with him gently. strengthening him then for the future.

So it's the same Jesus. He's just not here on earth. He's in heaven. It's still ministering to us.

So he he can deal with us in that way, maybe strongly. But genuinely Truly and compassionately. Because he loves us. I once heard And I love this, is that Jesus actually asked him three times, Peter, do you love me? Peter, do you love me?

Peter, do you love me? And it was like he was giving redemption for every one of those times that he denied him. You spoke yesterday. You did a sermon in Nehemiah, and you talked about how. How the Lord is full of not just forgiveness, but forgiveness is, and not just compassion, but compassions.

And it's ongoing. And I was sitting there, you know, listening to you teach last night thinking, God is so different than we are, you know. And man, am I glad that he is who he is and he's nothing like us? Because I know that that's not an easy thing for me to come by, you know, to give forgiveness upon forgiveness upon forgiveness. And yet, our God is so compassionate and so merciful and so patient with us.

Man, we would be in so much trouble if he weren't, right? None of us, we wouldn't stand a chance if we didn't have a compassionate God that was full of mercy upon mercy upon mercy. And so I'm going to end today's episode with: I don't know if you've ever heard this, Danny, but this is, it's actually in the back of our book, Hope in the Morning. And for those of you that aren't familiar with this, this book has 21 testimonies. In Hebrews 12, you talk about how we have, because we have so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with endurance the race set before us.

And I'll be the first to admit here that until you preach that sermon, I had it wrong as far as what the cloud of witnesses was. I always thought the cloud of witnesses is like because you have people watching your witness, you better run with endurance. That's what I thought. And so. It actually was like in a way I once thought the same thing.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And so I was like, There was almost like a I don't To say freedom, but kind of in hearing that, because you're like, okay, it's not all of this immense pressure on us. It's an encouragement to us that people just like you, they're not any different. They're not, they're not superhuman. They have run this race with endurance. And you have this huge cloud of witnesses.

That's what hope in the morning is, too. You've got 21 stories in here of people that have run very hard paths and yet they've said, you know what? God was faithful. God was good. Look what God taught me.

Look how God refined me. Look how he softened my heart in the fire. And it can be an immense encouragement. But at the end of this book as well, you can give this to unbelievers. And we actually have Alistair Begg wrote the gospel presentation in the back of this book.

And at the end, I included this. This was something that my grandmother introduced me to what I'm about to read, and I fell in love with it the moment she read it to me. And, Danny, because I know that you love Spurgeon as well, you may have heard some of this, but and I've read it on one other episode, but it bears repeating, especially today.

So, we called it Climbing the Mountain, and it's a compilation of excerpts from Charles Spurgeon's sermons. And this is what it says: it says, Behold then before your eyes, believer, the hill of God. This mount of which we speak is not Mount Sinai, but the chosen hill whereon are gathered the glorious company of angels, the spirit of the just made perfect, the church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven. And we are the pilgrims making our way to the top of God's mountain, full often joyous with faith, but sometimes weary and footsore. You may say, I shall never ascend the hill of God, for I am weak, and the hill is exceedingly high, too lofty to be attained by tottering feet like mine.

I am sore tired the road is very rough my bones ache, my knees bend, my head is giddy, and I drag my bleeding feet with anguish from crag to crag. O my dear brother, be of good cheer. If that be thine only cause of mourning, lay it aside, for remember, whilst thou art weak, it is not thy strength which is to carry thee there, but God's. If nature had undertaken to ascend into the celestial mountain, indeed you might despair. But it is grace, all conquering grace, that is to do it.

It is true the hill is steep, but then God is omnipotent. It is true the Alp is high, but higher still is the love and grace of God. He hath borne you. He hath carried you. He will carry you even to the end.

When you cannot walk, he will take you in his arms. And when the road is so rough that you cannot even creep along it, he will bear you as on eagle's wings till he brings you to that promised rest. Though stones and flints give foothold, stand then strong in the strength of God and be of good courage. When you have nothing else to trust to, put your hand within the hand of the eternal God, and he will wisely lead and powerfully sustain you. Look up, man.

Look up. The scripture does not say, let us run with trembling the race that is set before us, looking to our own tottering legs. No. But it says, Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus. What if the crag be steep and the precipice be grim?

What is that to thee? You will never fall while your faith is fixed on your God. Look up to the Father of lights with whom there is no variableness. He bids you silently look unto Him and stand securely. Courage, pilgrim courage Up that crag, man Now put hand and knee to it up For when you have climbed a little higher, aye, but a very little, you shall lie down to rest.

and then no more fatigue. or sorrow or pain. And brethren, when we shall mount to the hill of God, what sights we shall see we shall see the king in his beauty. We shall behold his face. We shall look into his eyes.

We shall drink love from the fountain of his heart. And I'm going to close it with just the verse we started it with, which is the sermon that inspired the whole episode, which is: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Danny, thank you so much for joining us today, and I hope that you will be encouraged to. To run the race with endurance.

Thank you for joining us and joining us again next week on Hope Moon. Uh Hope in the Morning is a non-profit ministry that seeks to encourage the hurting. equip those who walk beside them, and evangelize the lost with the hope of Jesus Christ. To partner with our ministry or to make a donation in your loved one's honor, please visit hopeinthemorning.org. Your donation helps keep these stories of hope on the air and helps tangibly meet the needs of the hurting.