Hebrews 12: 7 “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?”
Dear God,
I appreciate the privilege of coming aside into Your presence. Please rescue me today from over focusing on my emotional and sinful deficiencies. It is from Satan, the author of all lies, such taunting thoughts happen within many of us at times. What a wonderful reality, that over and over I can flee to Jesus my Saviour, and claim scriptural promises, for You God do not lie, and Your promises are actuated by every believing, faithful claim upon them.
Thank You for the words of Paul, which point me to a profitable way to approach the Christian life. Hebrews 12: 1 “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.” I have learnt that the ability to endure the ups and downs of life on earth, depend upon holding on to faith in You, by being focused upon Jesus, for He is the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12: 2 “……who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
It does seem as though for any of us to allow discouragement or disquiet about our faith in You, to take hold, is distracting to us and draws us away from the real issues, and it is profitable to remember, V 3 and 4 “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”
Every day of life is a privilege, that can also be called blessed when we love You as our personal God; even in good or bad circumstances, health or illness challenges; for Your loving presence and provision are always near at hand, and many precious spiritual lessons and strength, come through bad or health challenging times. V 11 “………afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Though I do not believe God, You punish with illness or bad circumstances, we do live in a sinful world and bad things will happen to good people and there are consequences for unhealthful or unrighteous life practices, individually and in the world at large. But You in love, can turn these adverse times into the ‘peaceable fruit of righteousness’ within those who put their trust in You.
In Your wisdom and strength I pray for me, V12 and 13 “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for Your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed” and then I will be able to, V 1”………run with endurance the race that is set before us” and so achieve the reward of being called to heaven by Jesus at His second coming.
I love You Lord,
Amen