SPIRITUAL
DIARY FOR 08-14-03
My
Worship Time Focus: Closing Remarks
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: Hebrews 13:22, 23, and
25
Message
of the verse: “22 But I urge you,
brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you
briefly. 23 Take notice that our brother
Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I shall see you. 25 Grace be with you all. (NASB)
“I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, please listen carefully to what
I have said in this brief letter. I want
you to know that our brother Timothy is now out of jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with
me to see you. May God’s grace be with
you all.” (NLT)
I want to
focus in on the word translated in the NASB as “bear with”, and in the KJV as
suffer. Strongs has this to say about
this word: “1) to hold up; 2) to hold
one's self erect and firm; 3) to sustain, to bear, to endure” The writer asking
his readers to bear up, or to hold up to his words, which are the Word of
God. I believe that writer is saying
something similar to what Isaiah was saying when he said that God’s Word would
not come back to him void, but that it would have its desired affect on those
who read it or heard it. “Isaiah 55:11
So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me
empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the
matter for which I sent it.”
There are times when the Word of God
will be a heavy load to bear up under because of what it is accomplishing in
the hearts of those who hear it or to those who are preaching it. The writer spoke of the Word of God earlier
in chapter 4:12, where he said that it was alive. “12 For the word of God is living and active
and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of
soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of the heart.”
In verse
23 the writer speaks about Timothy being released from jail, and I have
mentioned this in an earlier Spiritual Diary, when touching on whether or not
Paul was the writer of this letter.
The writer
ends the letter talking about the grace of God, and if it were not for the
grace of God there would be no need for this letter, for God did indeed give us
what we did not deserve, or could ever earn when He sent His Son to die in our
place.
I started
studying this wonderful book on December 3rd of last year, so it has
taken me nine plus months to go through it.
God has indeed used this book in my life, especially as I have been
going through the storm of our investments.
God has spoke to my heart through this book and also through the
writings of Dr. Wiersbe. Dr. Wiersbe
said, “True Bible faith is believing the Word of God in spite of consequences
or circumstances.”
Spiritual
meaning for my life today: I think
back to a sermon a couple of weeks ago where Pastor Dunn said that the Puritan
people would ask at the end of there sermons how did they bear up under the
Word of God today. As I studied this passage
today I understand where they got that from, and I must say that there are
times when the Word of God is “heavy to my soul,” as it convicts me of wrong
doing or thinking, and sometimes it is so very refreshing to my soul, or it can
be a challenge to my soul.
The Word of God was challenging to me as I studied it this
morning.
My
Steps of Faith Today: I
would like to trust the Lord to continue to use His mighty Word in my life each
and every day, and that I would be able to, by His grace, bear up under it.
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