By Pastor Dave Snyder
Parsons Church of God
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, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God (Hebrews 12: 1-2).
It was a cold winter night on Backbone Mountain. However, things were neither cold – not quiet inside the Tucker county High School gym.
Earlier in the evening, Elizabeth Nichols had made two free throws to send the game into overtime. Mere seconds ago, Bekah Simmons had made two free throws to put our team up by one. Seconds were ticking away as Southern Garrett made one last assault at our basket. As a Southern Garrett player drove hard to the basket for the final shot, Savannah Ambrose rose up and slapped the shot away. During the scramble to retrieve the basketball, the final buzzer sounded.
The most tremendous roar I have ever heard nearly shook the building. On its collective feet, the crown acknowledged that our team had preserved and secured the victory. All of us could say we were witnesses to a great high school basketball game. This incident caused me to think of another crowd mentioned in the Bible.
This crown is known as the cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12. They are in the stadium of eternity pulling for us to finish the race of faith. The stadium is filled. We are running with patience. Can you hear it? Can you hear the ROAR OF THE CLOUD?
