Today in God’s Word

Today in God's Word—September 2023

East Tallassee Church of Christ

September 6, Hebrews 12

The word “endurance” evokes images of athletics for many of us. For cyclists, the Tour de France is a grueling test of endurance. We admire marathon runners because of their perseverance as they train and then run 26 miles in a race. In the Olympics, the decathlon is regarded as the best all-around measure of an athlete’s strength, skill and stamina.

Olympic-type races and contests were popular in the first century, and the imagery of athletic competition is common in the New Testament. Here we are admonished to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” To spur us on to the finish line, the writer stacked image upon image to help us see the need for endurance and keep us focused on the goal.

We can enhance our own persistence by looking to the example of Jesus. He did not abandon the course when it led him to the cross and death. Looking ahead to the redemption he would secure for us, Jesus endured the horror and agony of crucifixion without shrinking away from God’s plan. When we encounter persecution from the world as we live for God, we should not be surprised or think difficulty is an excuse to quit.

Hardship may also be God’s tool to discipline, shape and train his children. Our Father trains us for our own good, that we may share his holiness. When we endure the discipline, we are being shaped and strengthened by his hand. Knowing God loves us and wants what is best for us helps us remain meek and submissive when he uses adversity to shape our character.

We are blessed to live under a much better covenant than the Law of Moses. The old one was given in terrifying and spectacular circumstances. The mountain was shrouded in fire and darkness, and the voice of God shook the earth. But the new one is even more awesome. We are not looking to Mt. Sinai, with Israel gathered to receive the law. We’re looking toward Mt. Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, with God on his throne, with innumerable angels and all the redeemed who’ve ever lived. The redeemed ones are sprinkled with blood — not with animal’s blood, but with the blood of Jesus. Who would dare stop listening to and following the one who speaks to us from there? His voice will sound again, not only shaking the earth, but the heavens as well.

When that promised shake-up comes, everything we know in the present arrangement of all things will be removed, except the kingdom of God which we’ve received in Christ. To be part of that kingdom is incentive enough to endure whatever adversity we may encounter, to live pure godly lives, and to worship in reverence before our awesome God.

Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.