Day 56: Just Read Hebrews Today Part 3 (plus a little more)
Ezekiel 29:1-30:26
Hebrews 11:32-12:13
Psalm 112:1-10
Proverbs 27:17
So I caught up on yesterday's reading and then read today's reading.
The past couple days as I literally just typed Hebrews for y'all, not merely because I was too unable to speak myself, but mostly because I needed to write it out myself...I knew this passage of Hebrews already and I knew where it was going and I knew it was going somewhere that I really needed to hear.
Hebrews
"I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength...There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning, they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--the world was not worthy of them....These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."
Christians, we are genuinely in a battle. A battle.
We are dressed in sheepskins, we are destitute, set up to be mistreated and persecuted.
What will we stand for? When we are persecuted, abandoned, abused, mistreated, assaulted, insulted, ignored, etc.... what will we stand for?
Our own comfort? Our own security? Our own desires?
Or will we stand for uncompromising and unwavering truth?
Truth that is true no matter what offends our person. Truth that is true no matter what distorted issue is presented.
Light in darkness. Jesus. Jesus still reigns. Reigns today.
Keep
The
Faith.
I'm talking the faith that is kept in the midst of being sawed in two.
What is worth saying "no, this still matters more than anything" when you're being sawed in two?
There is only One worthy.
Keep the faith. You are not alone.
Gratitude: for a great cloud of witnesses