Scripture:
Hebrews 10:32-39 NKJV
[32] But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: [33] partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; [34] for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. [35] Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: [37] “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. [38] Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” [39] But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Observation:
I’m going to be honest. I wanted to just stay in bed. I didn’t want to engage with anyone today. So much has happened in the last few years of my life that it’s hard to want to move forward at times. I’m not even sure what to write. It’s hard to continue when every time you turn around you see another betrayal, another person fooled by what the world has said over what GOD has instructed. Several scriptures have come to my mind in the last few minutes, so holding fast to this group of scripture found in Hebrews chapter 10 will be somewhat challenging. Although what is being said here has a correlation to the other scriptures as well, so let’s dig in. The letter to the Hebrews was written by an unknown author. However there are a few clues in its pages as to who wrote it. One of which is found in verse 34, as the author speaks about being in chains. But all that is just a distraction from the points that are made in the text. But what I will say is the author writes a lot like Paul. Especially when mentioning being in chains. Now here is the reason I find that to be important. Everyone of the apostles died a brutal death. Including Paul who was beheaded. He spent most of his time following Christ in a prison cell. Being taken from one to the next, only to lead the guards to salvation. What a soldier. Now not knowing for sure who wrote the letter to the Hebrews, we can’t dive in too deep with Paul, but only enough to know that he understood what it meant to suffer for the cause of Christ. Looking at the first few verses of what I believe to be chosen by the Holy Spirit this morning. We see the first verse comes right out of the gate talking about struggling and suffering. Let’s look at it. “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated.” I believe what is being said is that this particular people group took on some serious attacks after becoming known as followers of Christ. It wasn’t easy on them. Their faith was tested to the point of losing everything they had by being plundered. The spectacle that was made of them was for two reasons. The first being the fact that they had aligned themselves with Christ and the second being that they had aligned themselves with those who were suffering for HIS namesake. Everything they had was taken away and plundered but the effect was not what was expected. Most would have given up tucked tail and run. Laid in bed and hid from the world but not this church. They were zealous; they did not back up.They were not paying attention to the things of this world but looking to the life that came after this. They lined themselves up with those who understood what spiritual battle looked like. A man who was in chains due to the desire he had for others to hear the gospel. As they were being made a spectacle, this individual who was in chains wanted to encourage them, he wanted them to know that the decisions that they were making were the right ones. Keeping their confidence in Christ as the author and finisher of their faith. He does that by saying, “ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of GOD, you may receive the promise.” What I want us to see here is without any test, there is no testimony. The faith of this church was being tested. They were going through it. They had lined themselves up with the right people for the right reasons and it had taken notice. Those who opposed the gospel didn’t like it and it had caused the serpent to raise his ugly head. Their confidence was in the right place however, and they were being encouraged to keep it there. As the author continues, he reminds them of the return of Christ saying that the promises of GOD are yes and amen, or in other words, “ For yet a little while, And HE who is coming will come and not tarry.” As the author prepares to begin the next teaching moment which is found in chapter 11 of Hebrews, better known as the hall of faith. He lays the groundwork here, saying, “ Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But WE are not of those who draw back to perdition, but those who believe to tge saving of our sou.” The encouragement in these verses is astonishing. After being beat down, everything taken, ridiculed, made a spectacle of, and all because they had lined themselves up with the gospel. There faith would not stop as the author continues to chapter 11 he begins to unfold exactly what that means. Faith is believing in what you can’t see so much that you reach for it knowing that when you close your hand it will have that very thing in it.
Application:
No matter what it looks like we can’t give up. I’m reminded of Job… and honestly a few other scriptures that I would like to bring to our attention in 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verses 7 through 12, it says we will go through it. If you take the time to read it you will understand. Keeping our eyes fixed on Christ is the key to withstanding the spiritual battles that we face. I’m going to be honest, there are times when I just want to give up, times when things get overwhelming and it looks like the enemy has gained a victory, times when he uses the ones I love to discourage me. Trying to buffalo me with his lies. But my faith is stronger than his lie. I have gotten the opportunity to read the end of the book, and no matter what it looks like here and now, I am on the winning team. Because GOD is for me you can do whatever you want to and it will only affect you, the promises that HE gave me are sure. He will restore everything that the locusts have destroyed. Right now as we quickly approach the return of Christ we can not afford to draw back. Let the enemy do what he is going to do, and keep your faith in the one who died for you. The bible says that the end will look much like it did when Noah was building the arc. Only 8 were saved in all. The road to heaven is not a wide one. The enemy is grasping at straws. He wants to take you with him, and a lot of people are deceived. Do not be one of them. No matter what life looks like here, keep your eyes fixed on CHRIST. Not what is going on around you. He wants you distracted. He wants you in your emotions. He wants you to feel hopeless. But if a man who is in chains can be an encouragement to those who are not then I can do my best to do the same. My life looks defeated. My wife who is deceived told me she wants a divorce. She is listening to the serpent, and I’m going to stand on GOD’S promises. No matter what it looks like here I win. I just pray that the LORD will remove her heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. What she has been taught by those who were supposed to love her is wrong. First Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 through 7, explain what love is. Love does not give up, it keeps no record of wrong, but does not rejoice in the iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, love bears all things. In other words love goes through it and does not stop. What i am saying is keep your focus on GOD who is perfect love, you can not go wrong. Love those who do you wrong and reap HIS eternal rewards. Don’t pay attention to this life. It sucks in comparison to the life HE has in-store for us.
Prayer:
Father, we know that the enemy wants us distracted. He wants us to be looking at all we have lost and what it looks like we may lose. But you are bigger than that. You are able to do more than anything we could ask or imagine. You can stop the world from turning and in fact turn it backwards if you wanted to. That very thing has been recorded in your word. Parting the red sea, knocking down walls that have been built. These are all part of your specialties. Why should we expect any less of you? Our faith is not in man what they say or what they do, but it’s in you, the one who has finished the work we could not even get started with. This morning we just want to thank you for giving us the ability to keep our eyes on you. This life has become overwhelming, but you tell us not to give up. We will face things in this life but you have overcome the world, therefore we will as well. Man’s report is worthless in comparison to what you say. You have stood the test of time thank you for the spiritual vision. Thank you for showing us the tactics of the serpent. We pray the you will close my wife’s ears to the lies she is not only feeding others but the ones that she believes as well. We cast out the spirit of Jezebel… its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.