Right Focus on Suffering (Heb. 10:32-33)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05-21-03

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  Right focus on suffering

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Hebrews 10:32, 33

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “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;” (NKJV) “Don’t ever forget those early days when you first learned about Christ.  Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.  Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.”  (NLT)

            I believe that the writer is taking his readers back to the time when they first accepted the Lord and afterwards they went though sufferings for the sake of the Lord.  He is laying the groundwork for the next section that he will bring up to them and that is living by faith.  This section will go through chapter thirteen and verse 38 is the verse that some say is the key verse in the book of Hebrews, which is quoted from Hab. 2:4 and is also used in Romans and Galatians.  The verse reads, “the just shall live by faith,” and the “by faith” is the part the author wants to get across in this section.  Paul in Romans emphasizes “the just” and in Galatians “shall live.”   In these verses the author is beginning to encourage his readers, since he had to be forceful to them in the previous verses.

 

            2.  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I see in these verses that in the life of a believer there are times when you struggle and there are times when you will suffer for your faith.  Living in the USA all of my life I have not been persecuted for my faith like those who live in other countries of the world, although I do believe that the time is coming when being a believer in Jesus Christ in the USA will bring about persecution, and my prayer is that I will not bring down the name of Jesus Christ if God sees fit to bring persecution into my life.

 

The Word of God brought a challenge to my heart this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To continue to trust the Lord as we go through the uncertainty of what will happen to our investments.  I believe that the Lord will bring us through this storm that He has put us into, and see us through to the other side of it.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 40:12-14

 

12.  For evils beyond numbers have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtake me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head; And my heart has failed me.

13.  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me.

14.  Let those be ashamed and humiliated together who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored who delight in my hurt.