“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily 
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  Hebrews 12:1
 
In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the Greek word for endurance is HUPOMONE.  It is defined as “to stay under, remain, bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere;--abide, endure, take patiently, suffer, tarry behind.”  It is also the word for patience. 
 
Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33,
“These things I have spoken to you (Chapters 13-16), that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good 
cheer, I have overcome the world.”
 
How wonderful to know that Jesus, our Lord and Savior has overcome the world; this world that is in such chaos.  And how wonderful to know that we are only sojourners here.  So we are to ‘run with HUPOMONE the race set before us.’  There are many verses in Scripture that exhorts, encourages and give reasons to do so; for building our faith, for our maturing, for our teaching, for our witness.
 
The verses that are so reassuring for me are James 1:2-3
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance).”  
James gives us the reason,
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  Vs. 4
 
Jesus speaking in Matthew 5:48 tells us,
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
 
Scripture also tells us in James 1:12,
‘Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  
 
Romans 12:9-21 tells us something of love in action.  Vs. 12 speaks of being joyful, patience and faithful,
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  All apart of being made perfect.
 
HUPOMONE means to bear up courageously.
 
Scripture tells us that there will be persecution:  
In the Sermon of the Mount, Matthew 5:10, Jesus tells us,
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 
 
Jesus goes on to say in Vs. 11-12,
“Bless are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven…” 
 
In Matthew 10:22  Jesus says,
“And you will be hated by all for my name sake.  But he who endures to the end will be saved.”  (This was when Jesus sent the disciples out to the lost sheep of Israel.)
 
Paul tells us in  2 Timothy 3:12,
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
 
Paul knew persecution!  He endured much as he preached Christ Jesus!
“Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” 2 Timothy 2:10
And he says,
“If we endure, we will also reign with Him.”  Vs. 12
 
In 2 Timothy, Paul is expecting to be put to death, he encourages Timothy to stand firm in the faith.  He tells Timothy,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7
 
Take note, Hebrews 12:5-12 speaks of God chastening His children; us.
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.  For what children are not disciplined by their father?  Vs. 7
Then we see in Vs.11,
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
 
The is so much more of HUPOMONE in Scripture, but I leave it to your personal study.  God loves us beyond measure and desires us to rejoice and be glad in all He is doing in our lives.  So let us fix our eyes on Christ Jesus 
and run the race to His glory.
 
Thank you Lord God for your love that is beyond understanding!  We love you and want to love you more and more.  Amen