Challenging times require perseverance.
It is a biblical reality from Genesis through Revelation.
Ephesians 6:13
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Hebrews 6:1-8 speaks sobering words of warning re intentionally falling away and turning back into sin. You can read them for yourselves. Recommended. It is God’s word, and therefore for our benefit. Sometimes that falling back action can be a result of tumultuous times. Ironically there’s also biblical reference to folks falling back during times of leisure and prosperity that led them to complacency. Humans. Go figure.
The writer of the Hebrews letter (most agree it is likely not Paul), later in Hebrews 6 (our primary text for this writing) then interjects encouragement based upon:
A. (Most importantly) God’s faithfulness and desire for us to all finish well, and also
B. The writer’s original audience’s prior investment of faithful kingdom service – which God does not overlook.
Hebrews 6:9-12
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
(“This manner” in which he was speaking was the chilling warning of 6:1-8. Although unpopular and sobering, the writer had told them what he told them, because it is what it is, and we’re better off knowing tough Kingdom truth than believing what is untrue and invalid).
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.
(And here’s the admonishment to keep on keeping on)
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.
The original recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were discouraged, growing weary, and some were turning out of the way, abandoning their active faith in their Savior. In response to their dangerous wayward actions, the loving Shepherd was necessarily correcting them, as He has corrected His people throughout all of scripture.
PLAN A is that we are willing and obedient, that our guidance is via eye contact with our Good Shepherd, as opposed to (PLAN B) via bit and bridle tugging and yanking at our stiff-necked determination to do things our own way:
Ps 32:8-9
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.
Further along in Hebrews, in his desire to encourage all who may suffer as a result of God’s corrective measures (btw not the only reason for suffering, so please don’t conclude something in your life is wrong each time you suffer), the writer references the suffering of our sinless Lord…
Hebrews 12:3-5
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
God is as serious as a heart attack when it comes to the matters of correction, discipline and alignment w His purposes. Covenanting with Him means we’ve willingly come, and continue (daily) to come, into and under His rules and ways – in which place is His promised provision and blessing.
BACK TO HEBREWS 6 – in for the long haul, we’re told to not grow sluggish, never to slow down or back off in our pursuit of God, understanding the reward awaiting us.
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Speaking of his own exemplary life (clearly worthy of our imitation), and happily including us in the promise to the faithful, our beloved Rabbi Paul says this to his young protégé:
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
(And here’s the promise to you and me)
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
All scriptures NKJV
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