Reading Plan:
Hebrews 12
Our Thoughts:
Parents dream about giving their children the best lives possible. Most parents strive to give their children a loving home, an excellent education, nutritious meals, sage advice, fun experiences, and a solid foundation in life. But ultimately, parents cannot control what life throws at their children when they walk out the front door and into the world. Parents want great lives for their children even if they can’t change the hard times. In the same way, our heavenly Father wants the best for you even though we will experience seasons of difficulty.
Hebrews 12 tells us that struggle is guaranteed for Christians. In fact, the original audience of Hebrews had experienced persecution and were abandoning their faith. The author of Hebrews urges believers to endure by keeping their eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. We can look to Jesus’ life and death to see that times of difficulty should be expected. During Jesus’ ministry, he was slandered, arrested, beaten, falsely accused, and murdered. Despite these trials, Jesus promised his disciples in John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” Peace! We can have peace amid suffering because Jesus has already overcome!
Trials are painful and hard, but we are called to endure hardships because they produce discipline. According to Hebrews 12:10, God allows us to be disciplined for our benefit so that we can share in His holiness. He can take the trials, difficulties, persecution, whatever comes our way, and use it for our good and our benefit. What a gift to share in God’s holiness as children of God!
Parents discipline their children because of love - because they want the best for their children. Parents cannot know exactly what trials their children will face, but they can discipline by training, guiding, and correcting their children to help them make wise decisions and live a life that honors the Lord. While earthly parents want the best for their sons and daughters, God wants even more for His children. He wants the absolute best for us which is why discipline is not just necessary but something God lovingly allows in our lives. We may not know what tomorrow brings, but God does! Let us take comfort in Our Creator and His perfect plan. We are His Children, and God’s kingdom is unshakeable!
More Questions:
What discipline has been beneficial for you in your life?
What helps you endure the hard times?
Is someone in your life struggling? How can you encourage them this week?
Prayer:
Lord, even in your immense power, you are a loving, attentive Father. You shake the heaven and the earth, yet you lovingly discipline me. Thank you for loving me as your child. Please remind me of your love and power when I face difficulty. Help me endure so that I can be an effective worker for Your Kingdom. In your Name, Amen.
Author: Amy Fontenot