This week we are continuing our study into Hebrew 12:1:

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

I want to focus on this portion this week: “and the sin which doth so easily beset us”

Beset means: “well standing around, i.e. (a competitor) thwarting (a racer) in every direction (figuratively, of sin in genitive case)”

Notice the main meaning is of a competitor thwarting (prevent someone from accomplishing something. To oppose (a plan, attempt, or ambition) successfully.

This is what the verse literally means:

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight [ put away put away every load or burden], and the sin [missing the mark; offense] which doth so easily beset us [a competitor thwarting a racer in every direction], and let us run with patience [cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy (the quality of being enduring and unchanging)] the race that is set before us,”

So, when our sin (from to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize; a sin (properly abstract): translated generally as offense or sinful. These are things that “trip us up” and cause us to stumble.

So, let’s take a look at stumbling.

Often things are going great… we’ve found our stride and we feel we finally feel like we have the favor of God on our lives… then BAMB! Something happens and all of the “progress” we’ve made… poof! Disappears…

What happened? We are going to look at this and how detect and avoid those snares!

We get laid off from work… we get a not so good report from the doctor… our marriage is falling apart, and we didn’t even know it… a Or… we that bad attitude we have that we thought was under control…. That secret habit… blows up again and we’re right back where we started… and on and on it goes…

We were running so well, and we get tripped up and fall… we crash and burn….

It’s happened to all of us at one time or another. You might be in that same situation right now or you’re dealing with the trauma in the aftermath of it.

But here’s the good news: It was all paid for on the Cross!!!

“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.” Proverbs 24:16

You see when you know that you’re godly YOU WILL GET BACK UP.

“When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” – Psalm 37:24

When you trip and fall you won’t hurt yourself too bad because He’s got YOUR HAND!

Enjoy this message!