March 25 – Hebrews 12:12-17
Our Jesus, we praise You, for You are Salvation. You are Hope. You are Peace! We love You and want to draw near to You. Be with us as we come together to spend time with You and worship You.
In our reading yesterday, we read about discipline, how God does so for us so that we become more refined. Discipline can hurt, sting, and threaten to make us feel small? No, that is what punishment feels like. Discipline is teaching, gentle guidance, and course correcting. We should feel braver, stronger, and more capable because of it. There is no room for shame with discipline.
In verse 12, we are told not to crouch, hide, and wither. But to stand tall, be strong, and align our hearts to His by doing His will. And our response to this should be what?
– Peace with everyone so that others might see the Lord (verse 14)
– Share God’s grace with others and be gracious (verse 15)
– Prevent bitterness from taking root (verse 15)
– Remain clean (verse 16)
Our response to His discipline should be grace full, not sinning, not rebellious, or becoming bitter about it. For if we do, we risk becoming a stumbling block for others. Compare these verses to verse 5. We are not to take the discipline lightly or to willfully neglect it. God is prepping us for what is to come, our future. He is ensuring we can endure what is to come here on earth and to do it with all grace and all peace.
Jesus’ work on the cross made this possible. Our sins were cleansed, are being cleansed with every repentance. He did what we could not do that we may live in our future home, our rightful place because of Him. Let us not forget the cost of our freedom, the length Jesus went to to set us free.
My Verse: Hebrews 12:12-13, “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.”
My Response: Jesus, my Saviour forever. I praise You because You alone can save. Thank You for pulling me from the death pit and bringing me to life. Please help me to keep the cross before me and the world behind me and do not let me turn back.
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My verse: Hebrews 12:12 “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.”
My response: Yes, Lord, I will. You see my tired hands and weak knees. You’ve heard my tears as my tasks increased these past few weeks beyond my ability to endure. And this morning you whisper to me, “take a new grip” and I place my little tired hand in Your big strong Hand and trust You to lead me and go with me whatever today might bring. When I am with You, tired or strong, I am safe and well. This verse has whispered hope to my soul, and I thank You for how You speak through Your living Word …