Faithful Christians from the past encourage us today.

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

A large sign at the Texas A&M University football stadium says “HOME OF THE 12TH MAN.” While each team is allowed eleven players on the field, the 12th Man is the presence of thousands of A&M students who remain standing during the entire game to cheer their team on. The tradition traces its roots to 1922 when the coach called a student from the stands to suit up and be ready to replace an injured player. Although he never entered the game, his willing presence on the sideline greatly encouraged the team.

Hebrews 11 describes heroes of the faith who faced great trials and remained loyal to God. Chapter 12 begins, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (v. 1).

We are not alone on our journey of faith. The great saints and ordinary people who have been faithful to the Lord encourage us by their example and also by their presence in heaven. They are a spiritual 12th Man standing with us while we are still on the field.

As we fix our eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (12:2), we are spurred on by all those who followed Him.

Lord, may we be aware of those in heaven who are cheering us on. Give us strength to run our race of faith today.

历代信心坚定的基督徒，今天仍激励着我们。

存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程。-希伯来书12章1节

美国德州农工大学（Texas A&M University）的足球场上竖立着一个大型看板，上面写着：“第12名球员之家”。在每场比赛中，每队有11位队员上场，而第12名球员指的是在整场比赛中，为他们的队伍加油的那几千名农工大学学生。这项传统可追溯自1922年，那时有位教练从观众席中，找了一名学生去换上球衣，准备代替一位受伤的球员。虽然最终那个学生没有机会上场比赛，但他愿意成为候补，站在场边，鼓舞了整支球队。

希伯来书11章描述了许多信心的伟人，他们虽面临极大的试炼，但仍然不离开上帝。12章一开始就提到：“我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程。”（1节）

我们在信心的道路上并不孤单。那些坚定信靠主的圣徒和普通信徒，无论他们还在世上或已回天家，他们的榜样都能激励我们。在我们信心的道路上，这些人就如第12名球员，让我们得着激励。

当我们将眼目定睛于“为我们信心创始成终的耶稣”（12章2节） ，因着那些跟随祂的人，我们就能得着激励。

主啊，愿我们明白，
历世历代的信徒就是我们最大的激励。
求祢赐给我们力量，奔跑信仰的旅程。

Hebrews 11:32-12:3New International Version (NIV)

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon,Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword;whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.37 They were put to death by stoning;[a] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow wearyand lose heart.

整理：于姊妹