Heaven’s host cheers you on
Urging brethren to press on
To make a stand for good
Overcoming evil with good
Through every wile of the enemy
Resisting firmly every enemy
Grace is sufficient
Strength is promised
Victory is assured
Though your way be sorely winding
Worldly lights around are dazzling
Fears and doubts assail your heart
To give up now is not your part
The path of faith makes you stronger
The finish line not far from yonder
Listen now, they speak as one
Heaven’s host cheers you on
No one ever imagined, that there would ever be a day when an Olympic event would be held without the usual stadium-packed spectators and fans. But that was exactly what happened, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020. Shops, parks and schools were deserted; everywhere resembled apocalyptic ghost towns. Consequently, the Tokyo Olympics 2020 was held in 2021 without fans and spectators. As an Olympics fan, watching an empty stadium or velodrome felt very hollow and different, without the usual cheering and boisterous crowd. Athletes, also, attested to the fight to remain mentally positive and focused in the echoing stadiums.
The fact is, there is an inexplicable synergy created between a performing athlete and the cheering roars of innumerable spectators. This synergy translates the athlete into an elevated terrain of faith, self-confidence and moral boost. It is like a gust of wind propelling athletes towards the finish line; it fuels their veins with an unquenchable desire to stand on that prized and acclaimed top podium.
Similarly, as believers, we are on a heavenly race, and there is a heavenly host that cheers us on toward victory. They are the heavenly General Assembly, the innumerable company of angels; Moses, David and the holy men of faith in Hebrews 11; Paul, Joanna, Peter, and the apostles of Jesus; Aristarchus, Epaphras, Epaphroditus and the many brethren that quietly laboured with Paul; John Wesley, Katherine Kulman, Charles Spurgeon, Billy Graham and many faithful believers of our times. All these men and women are seated in full capacity in that heavenly stadium, looking glorious and beautiful, cheering and urging us towards the finish line. They clap and shout and encourage us not to quit the battle though it be fierce; not to relent in believing though God tarries; to look up to Jesus our Strength and Succour; to learn from their mistakes and stand on their testimonies.
Open your eyes and look around you, see how they cheer us towards that crown of righteousness, reserved for those who love him passionately, who await His appearing eagerly, and those who serve Him faithfully to the end. “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and your feeble knees. Make every effort to live in peace with all men, and be holy, for without holiness, no man shall see God” (Hebrews 12:12-14). “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door; you can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.” (Luke 13:24, Matthew 7:13-14).
Listen closely dear friends, and hear the angelic voices. Heaven’s host cheers you on.
Shalom.
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