Do you ever get tired of the pace you are keeping? Have you been wearying of all the hassles and stresses of life? Are you getting discouraged because you can never seem to climb out of that hole you’re in and get to some high places in life? Then you need RENEWED STRENGTH FOR LIFE’S DEMANDS. The writer of Hebrews has some encouragement for us so let’s dig in!
WIRED: In Hebrews 12 we see the Christian life compared to a marathon race and the endurance that is needed to finish that race set before us. (Heb 12:1) … and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. That’s good because the Lord has a work for each of us to do. And we need encouragement to keep on going! (Heb 10:35-36) Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. (1 Cor 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. We can accomplish so much through the Spirit’s enabling! (Zech 4:6) So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.
TIRED: The author of Hebrews also references God’s painful chastening of the believer. He then gives a description of a worn-out person whose hands are hanging down and whose knees are feeble. Does that sound like you? Are you just plain wrung out? Then drink in these promises of rest and strength: (Mat 11:28-30) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Isa 40:28-31) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
FIRED: When God renews our energies, we are now ready to get back to the battle in full confidence that He is with us and will never leave us (13:5); He will reward those who diligently seek Him (11:6); and He will be faithful to the end! (13:8; 12:2)
Remember, you don’t have to feel strong to be strong! (2 Cor 12:10) … For when I am weak, then I am strong. And God will carry you when you’re just too pooped to go on. (Deu 1:31)
I hope by now you are encouraged by God’s Word to keep on the path God has for you and not give up. Through Jesus we have RENEWED STRENGTH FOR LIFE’S DEMANDS!
Louie