“Keep running! You can do it!” I cheered as my kids turned the corner on a makeshift race track in their school’s field. Kids running, parents yelling, music blasting… pretty much the typical start to all of my days. 😉

It was the annual Boosterthon Fun Run, a fundraising event held at my children’s elementary school.

In order to raise money, the student runners have people sponsor them for each lap they run. The pledges are set prior to the race beginning, and in order to claim the sponsorship dollars, the runners have to keep running.

As I watched them circling the track, God reminded me that as Christians, we’re all running a race, every single day.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” Hebrews 12:1

And just like my kids’ Fun Run, we have a cloud of witnesses cheering us on; but most importantly, we have the best support of all…God!

A sponsor is defined as a “person who makes a pledge or promise on behalf of another.” Similarly, God has invested immeasurable pledges and promises on our behalf. The first and most important one is forgiveness of our sins and salvation through Jesus Christ.

In addition to salvation, there are literally thousands of other promises in Scripture that we can claim through faith! God covers us in every way imaginable. The unfortunate part is that many of us don’t fully grasp the extent of God’s promises, and we often fail to receive them as we are running through the peaks and valleys of life’s race.

Here are just a few wonderful promises that God pledges to us, that I pray would encourage you today.

Struggling with sin and temptation?
And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:4

Anxious about your or your family’s future?
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Getting burnt out?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Feeling insufficient, incapable, or weak?
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

Worried about having the necessities of life?
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Nervous about what’s going on in the world?
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Troubled by your current circumstances?
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Hesitant about your position with God?
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

As children of God, all of these promises have already been pledged to us as we run the race of life! God deposited them for us before we even started the race, and He urges us to keep running and claim them as we go!

That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important for us to study and know God’s Word. If we aren’t familiar with the character of God, along with what He has promised us when we live a life of faith and obedience, how can we run in full confidence that can only be found in Christ?

Just as the parents did with our children during their run that day, our Father in heaven is likewise supporting and cheering us on. Let’s continue to run our race with endurance, resting on the pledges and promises of God, our heavenly sponsor!