Bible In A Year | Read: Hebrews 12
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:5-11
Overview of Chapter
The readers are now challenged to persevere when experiencing hardship. The people in chapter 11 had done that, as had Jesus to an even greater extent. The writer refers to these hardships as discipline. Discipline is supposed to make us stronger. Discipline from parents is supposed to make the children better; how much more so discipline from God?
Mount Sinai was where the Jews received the Old Testament law; Mount Zion is in Jerusalem. The writer is reminding his Jewish readers that Mount Sinai was a scary place, but the heavenly Jerusalem, or place of God’s dwelling, is a place of joy. Those who respond to persecution of Christians by returning to Judaism are leaving a place of joy and returning to one of fear.
Most of you are probably not Jewish or tempted to pursue Judaism, but you may sometimes be tempted to return to an old way of life before you trusted Jesus. There were things about that old lifestyle and things about Jesus that caused you to consider him. Why would you go back?
Thoughts on the verses
Have you ever felt like your day just can’t get any worse? Now, think quietly to yourself about the last time you had a bad day. Maybe you’re not having such a great day right now! You must be very frustrated, angry, upset, or even embarrassed!
Bad days teach us something. For example, waiting in a long queue might not be a pleasant experience, but it teaches us to be more patient.
Sometimes, in a day that seems like a bad day, it might be that we are being disciplined by God. When we are going astray, God wants to direct us back into the right path. Being in the process of discipline might not feel pleasant at all, but it will bring us righteousness and peace in due time.
The most important thing is to always remember that God loves you on your good and bad days. When you are being disciplined by God, it means God loves you as His dear child. There is always a blessing He has stored for us as long as we stay faithful throughout the process.
Prayer
Dear God, in good days and bad, I know Your love remains in me. Amen.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
Have you ever thought it would be cool to hear some C3 leaders discuss the daily verses, share about their lives and mostly just talk about nonsense? Of course not!…even though nobody has ever thought that we are still doing it. You can follow along with us each morning in a brand new podcast – Tuesday’s $20 Fill Ups & Getting in Trouble.
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