Day 354

December 20th
Hebrews 11:1-12:29.  “Fear Not”
For a long time, I read Hebrews 12:1-2 with fear.  I had always assumed that the “cloud of witnesses” were there to judge us as believers as to whether or not we are living up to their standard.  I was living a Christian life, constantly looking over my shoulder and concerned if I was doing it right all of the time.
Then one day, someone pointed out that the passage in Hebrews doesn’t imply judgment, but rather encouragement.  The witnesses, those people of faith mentioned in the previous chapter (Hebrews 11), are not judging or critiquing us, but rather are cheering us on and encouraging us.  They have been through the fire and know what it is to live by faith.  
As you think about living a life of faith or living the word, do you live it out of fear and trepidation, or out of love and encouragement?  Remember that you are loved and accepted as a child of God and that “perfect love expels all fear” (1 John 4:18).
May you live the word, knowing that there are many who have gone before who are cheering you on.