Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (day four)
It always seems to take me by surprise. I begin to read of the acts of righteousness, the miracles of overcoming great odds, and the mighty power of faith demonstrated in the lives of men and women. Then I read verse 35ff…”others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death…” Wait a minute! We were talking about great miracles of deliverance and feats of power. What is this description of defeat and loss? Does faith reside in the pain and suffering of life as well? The circumstances of our life do not determine our faith. Our faith transcends the circumstances of life. Faith comes from God because He has provided something much better for us than temporary victory. We must keep our eyes upon the faithful God!
Know
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-12:17 (Day Three)
“Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead.” When Abraham heard God tell him to sacrifice Isaac, he knew who was directing him to do such a thing. Abraham already had a long history with God. Each ability of God’s that Abraham saw over time brought him a clearer understanding of God’s power: He knew God could lead him across hundreds of miles of trackless territory to a new home; he knew God could help him lead an army to victory; he knew God could give an old man and old woman a son in their old age. By the time of this demand, Abraham knew God’s character and power—even though he did not know how it would all end. He went up Moriah to where he did not know, based on what he did know of God. That’s faith.
Joy Beyond the Cross
RE Verse reading-Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (days two) “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right and of the throne of God.”
This passage has always been dear to me for the simple reason that I had to memorize it as a youth. It is one of the great examples of binding the Word to my heart, it has never left me. The inherent paradox of the verse above has long been fascinating. Who would ever count joy in such unimaginable pain? No one would say that Christ enjoyed the cross so what gives?
The cross was certainly in the cross hairs of what was before Him, but that is not where Jesus was focused. The joy set before Him was just beyond the cross. It did mean that the journey to joy was unbelievably harsh, but the promise of joy was so eternally greater it was worth it. Jesus clearly saw the forest in the midst of all the trees. This is why there was joy, He has sat down at the right hand of God.
This is another example of Christ saying to us, “I’ve been there, keep your head up”. Joy doesn’t mean happy and it clearly doesn’t mean easy, but using Jesus as our example, we can endure and not grow weary and lose heart. There is joy in what is beyond our sights.
Surrounded
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (day one)
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.” (v 12:1) No one is suggesting it is easy. To trust Christ, to walk by the Spirit in a material/secular age is a daily demanding task. And a lonely one. But we are not alone! Believers are always surrounded by people from the past (now living in heavenly places) who also walked by faith and therefore understand the challenges we face. Chapter 11 names a few of them. Chapter 12 helps us hear them cheering for us as we run our race. You are not alone, dear one! You are surrounded by people who know the discouragements and the fears and the available resources. They know the race and the rewards. Can you hear them cheering for you?
The sign that we are shrinking back
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day seven) “We are not those who shrink back to destruction.” (v 39) “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (v 25) The danger is very real. Not that we would deny Christ with our words, but with our actions. Two examples. One psychological. The other congregational. Shrink back is a Greek word that literally means, “to gather under”. It pictures a person who retreats into self and becomes unwilling to face challenges. “I am tired of getting ‘beat up’ “, he says. “I will do what is good for ME.” This secret shift of focus will have one noticeable sign. He will stop showing up for meetings. Worship. Business Conference. Sunday school. Not that attendance is the primary virtue, but others need his encouragement and he is gradually less willing to give it. The danger is real. We deny Christ by retreating from other believers and into self.
The good old days?
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day six) “Remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings. . .therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward.” (v 32, 35) Sometimes we forget. The good old days weren’t entirely good. Time tends to soften the memories, but we made sacrifices. We faced stress. Building a family or a church or business, there were (and always will be) prices to be paid (time, attention, effort). One benefit of looking back is to see this truth, and to recognize that giving up now would make all the sacrifices of the past meaningless. No marathon runner would complete 25 miles (0f a 26.2 mile race) and not finish! Neither should we. False logic says, “I have done enough. I am going to quit.” Eternal logic says, “I have taken many steps. I am determined to finish.” “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come”. Great reward ahead! Don’t quit now!
We
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day five)
Verse 24 “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds”. “The bible knows nothing of solitary religion” – John Wesley One of the many insights I have gained from reading Hebrews in this series has been the writer’s frequent uses of the plural forms of pronouns. This letter is chocked full of prompts for community, accountability, and unity. In verse 24 “we” are instructed to take initiative and encourage healthy action and attitudes in the hearts and lives of our church family. Pretty bold!! What would motivate us to interact that way? Romans 2:2 claims God’s motive for challenge and conviction is kindness. What if we had that type of love and affection for our church family? I think others would take note. John 13:35
Today
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day four)
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” While you have today, you can begin to count on Jesus Christ–the only one who can teach you to live an eternal kind of life. While you are alive in this life, you can decide to hear him, to get to know him. You might not have much, but you have today.
In His Presence
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day three)
The writer of Hebrews addresses two groups of people in this passage. In verses 19-25, he speaks to those who have believed. They have heard the gospel and through Christ, have entered into the presence of God. In verses 26-31, he speaks to those who choose to remain in sin. God is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice. His love demands His justice. The writer says that we should not expect God to just overlook our sin. We cannot counterbalance our sin with good works. Verse 31 says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” This is where we learn of the importance of a ‘fear of God.’ To recognize the majesty and glory of our holy, infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, and ever present God inspires a fear. Moses, Gideon, Isaiah and John trembled to the core of their being before God. Thankfully, as believers, our fear does not include judgment…but don’t forget discipline!
Consider Love
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day two)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb. 10:23-24
Because the Lord is faithful we can rest confidently in hope; what a comforting and reassuring verse, but it is the next sentence that call us to action. How often do we consider how we can move others towards love and good deeds. The hope that we have found in Christ is not ours alone to hoard away for a rainy day. After we have secured hope we should move to share it with others. Can you imagine how this can change the way Christians communicate with the world? Not just non-believers, but everyone! Because you have found hope today, consider love.