Scripture:
Hebrews 6:9-12 NKJV
[9] But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. [10] For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. [11] And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, [12] that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Observation:
Although there is no identified author for the letter to the Hebrews, many Bible scholars believe it to be Paul. My thoughts on who wrote it may differ just a little bit because I firmly believe that although there are names attributed to the books that make up what we know as the bible… I’m totally convinced that the credit for the pages written belongs to the Holy Spirit. HE seems to have a way of saying what needs to be said just when you need to hear it. I also believe HE is the one who gets credit for the SOAPS that are put out every morning. Because honestly, I know that in and of myself, I am not able to do what my Father has called me to. I need HIS guidance. I need to hear HIS voice, and I find that in the pages of HIS word. I was looking this morning under the word diligence. It’s a word that crosses my lips regularly. Regarding work and the way I conduct myself, honestly, the Bible has a lot to say about it, and that shouldn’t surprise us at all. GOD is very diligent in HIS pursuit of us, and so we should be in ours of HIM as well. Looking at what the letter to the Hebrews says about it has brought new light to it for me this morning. The author has a wonderful way of encouraging HIS readers that it’s never the end. He tells his readers that there is more ahead. Things that include salvation. I love the way it is described in verse 10, “For GOD is not unjust to forget your labor of love which you have shown towards HIS name, in that you ministered to the saints, and do minister. I believe that what is being said is that GOD doesn’t forget… when you love others as you love yourself, you want to see them do better. You want to see them move forward, and so you give it your all down to your last breath to ensure that you are doing all you can to help those around you. The thought is continued in verse 11, but it’s turned to those whom the reader has been ministering to. I believe what is being spoken of is discipleship. The Holy Spirit shows you so you can show others, and the process is repeated. The word diligence means careful and persistent effort. It’s basically thinking through each action and then following through with it. To get the desired results. In order to do so there has to be a level of faith, and as we know faith is believing in what you can not physically see. However, believing it so much that you move forward regardless of what it looks like. Verse 11 also uses the phrase full assurance. That’s an absolute knowing that GOD is in this story. Finally on to verse 12, although I believe we can stay at verse 11 for quite some time. I believe we need to move on. I believe that verse 12 is kind of a warning the Holy Spirit knew that we would tend to rest on what we had gotten done and take time to relax. Sit back and see the results of our handy work. But there is no time for that. As Paul says we must press on.
Application:
Do you see where we are in today’s society? I do. It seems the more we move forward the closer we get to the return of the Holy one. It would be nice to take a break and look at what the Father has gotten accomplished. But I don’t feel like we have time for that. We need to continue to press on with a sense of urgency and diligence. The idea behind discipleship is to replicate yourself. So what you are doing, those whom you take as disciples will do as well. I just have to tell you I love the men that GOD has placed around me. I know HE has hand-selected them. I’m not just talking about the ones I work with. I’m talking about the ones who come to bible study and join me in the ministry as well. It’s a very strategic plan. A plan that I know GOD has put together. Can I let you in on a little secret? Sometimes it’s easy to want to rest. When things don’t look like they are going the right way or when you can’t see the forest through the trees. It’s easy to look around and think maybe this isn’t it. Maybe I missed my calling. If that’s where you are. I want you to pay attention to what I’m about to say. GOD used 2 young boys to speak by faith about what HE had told the Israelites when they were standing at the edge of the promised land. We can do this… HOD said so… what are we waiting on… let’s go take this land…GOD gave it to us… they may look like giants but we are more than conquerors… they will fall at our feet. They did not back down or slow down. GOD sees your labor of love for the saint’s HE hears all the prayers that you don’t speak of to anyone. HE knows your heart for HIS kingdom and what HE is telling you this morning is DON’T GIVE UP. Never grow weary in doing good because at just the right time you will receive a harvest. Always operate from faith. You may not see the results BUT GOD DOES and HE does not forget your labor of love for those around you. Continue to be diligent in what HE has called you to and you will see the fruit from it. But don’t get slack in your work. It may not look like you are doing anything. But GOD is going ahead of you and making a way that you can’t see yet. Press on. Don’t slow down. Let your faith lead your steps. It’s impossible to please HIM without it and HE wants it to grow into a tree not just a mustard seed. But a tree that others can rest on.
Prayer:
Father, sometimes it’s hard to continue to move forward when you can’t see any results. But we know that you are not finished yet. Your trumpet has not sounded and we are still here. So there is work to be done. We do not ever want to rest on what we have done because truth be told we have done nothing. You have done some absolutely amazing work through us. Give us a fresh fire. We want the light that you have placed in us to shine. We want your glory to be seen. There is nothing good that we can do apart from you. As we cling tightly to you show us your glory. You have given us faith. Let that guide our steps and show us that we are heading in the right direction. We don’t want to stop short. Or give up. You have brought us this gar and there is no time to slow down. Move us to your promised land not only in heaven but here on earth as well. We want to live your will for us without fear. Because we know who we ate in you… we are mighty worriers in Christ Jesus, more than conquerors able to do far more than we could imagine. We will not stop halfway. We will lock shields and press on. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.