DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
MARCH 30, 2026
READ: Hebrews 12:1-3
MEMORY VERSE
“Let us run with perseverance.” Hebrews 12:1
BACKGROUND
To become a lawyer in California, Maxcy Filer had to pass the state’s grueling, three-day bar exam. So he took it not once, not twice, but forty-eight times before passing the tough test. His goal? To advocate for the underprivileged in Compton, his beloved city.
Between his first and last attempts at passing the exam—across twenty-five years—Filer and his wife raised seven children, all who went to college. When Filer was sworn in, the judge said, “Three words about Maxcy Filer: perseverance, perseverance, perseverance.”
His story prompts me to think of people in the Bible who persevered. The writer of Hebrews recognized some: Noah, who “by his faith . . . became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith” (11:7). Or Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (vv. 8-21), Moses (vv. 23-28), and others. Such examples inspire us.
The writer then exhorts believers in Christ: “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (12:1). We then read, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (v. 1).
How will we do this? By “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (v. 2). As we consider Christ’s sacrifice for us, we “will not grow weary and lose heart” (v. 3).
Challenges to our faith give us opportunity to endure in His name. In His power, we persevere.
Patricia Raybon
INSIGHT
Because of severe persecution (see Hebrews 10:32-39; 13:3), Jewish believers in Jesus were pressured to abandon their faith and revert to Judaism.
The unnamed writer of Hebrews encourages these embattled believers to remain faithful by “keeping [their] eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (12:2 nlt). He reminds us of the superiority of Christ, who as God Himself is the final revelation of God (chs. 1-4).
Jesus—through His sacrificial work as the superior High Priest and as the once-for-all perfect sacrifice for sin—is the only one who can truly save (chs. 5-10). The writer likens our journey of faith to a long-distance foot race.
The lives of faith of the saints who’ve completed their races (see ch. 11) inspire us to persevere to complete our race by keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, our champion who Himself endured challenges and completed the race (12:1-3).
K.T. Sim
APPLICATION
What faith challenge is testing you? How can you persevere in Jesus?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Challenges to our faith give us opportunity to endure in His name. In His power, we persevere.”
PR’s TAKE
“You only fail when you stop trying.” Thomas Edison
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
PRAYER
“As I persevere for You, please inspire me, dear Jesus, to keep going.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“NEVER THOUGHT” BeBe & CeCe Winans
Oh, I never thought that I…
Never thought it’d happen
Love rescued me
Filled my heart with passion
Never thought it would happen to me
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
Right here, here’s where I belong
Finally back from nowhere
Unfair, that’s how it seemed to be
A smile in me was so rare
Until the remedy of You
I lived thought living, yes I did
Inside, I couldn’t see the light
The darkness was so deep in me
I almost lost the fight but victory is so sweet
Because the miracle of You has given me meaning
Never thought I’d be so happy
Never thought I’d be so happy
(Never thought)
Never thought I’d be so happy
Oh, oh, oh, I
Never thought I’d be so happy
I tried clinging to yesterday
When all I need is right now
My life is better in every way
Your love has turned me around
And these moments spent with You
Has filled my heart forever, ooh, ooh
Sometimes, it’s better just to cry
And leave the past behind
Don’t mind, the tears aren’t made to last
They fade fast when you find
What I found in You (In you)
Something to believe in
Oh, oh, oh, I
Never thought I’d be so happy
Never thought I’d be so happy…
I was just about to give up (Give up)
And just about to give in (Give in)
I know just what it feels like (Feels like)
To have to start all over again
And if somewhere you hear me now (Hear me now)
I wanna hear you say
Say, I never thought that I
Could ever feel this way
Love conquers all
It wiped my tears away
It opened up my heart
And now I can say
Never thought I’d be so happy
Never thought I’d be so happy
Never…
Never…
