Encouragement from a writer who knew what it means to endure
By Dean Collins
Tired? Not sure if what you are doing will make any difference in the long run? Wondering if the suffering and current struggle will be the end of you and define your life? Then Hebrews has a word for you.
It is not uncommon to wonder if what we do daily will have any difference in anyone’s life in the future. And in seasons of struggle, we can wonder if God sees and knows what we are enduring. The author of Hebrews wrote to believers who had the very same thoughts. When this portion of Scripture was written, believers were enduring persecution and suffering, and some were struggling to hold on. Some had become lazy about coming to worship gatherings and staying in community with others.
Better than anything
The book of Hebrews reminded its readers, as well as us today, that what we have in Christ is better than anything ever imagined or experienced before his death, burial, and resurrection. Yet watching the suffering of the saints had discouraged many believers, and no doubt some wondered if they could endure. They also wondered, as we do, does God notice? Has he forgotten us?
Hebrews 6 gives us an answer to these questions as well as a path forward. First, we learn that God notices and does not forget the work we do in his name:
“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”
God sees our work and our sacrifice. He sees the love we have for those we serve in his name. And he is fully aware that while we may have fatigue, he knows we continue to serve because of our love for him. Your ministry, whether large or small in your eyes, does not go unseen. God sees, knows, and will provide for you as you serve him.
Until the end
Verses 10-12 continue with encouragement to have full assurance and hope that God will be with us until the end, so we must not get lazy or sluggish even when we cannot see the outcomes of our work in a given moment or season.
The secret to our endurance comes by imitating those who, through faith and patience, have inherited the promises of God. Later in chapter 11, we are reminded of a host of faithful servants who, like us in certain moments, had tough assignments yet preserved and now enjoy the full promises of God.
And we cannot forget that our best example is Jesus. In Hebrews 5:8 we read:
“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.”
Jesus is our example and our pathway to faithful endurance and obedience in every season. The love of Christ was so profound that Jesus chose to endure suffering and death so that we might have life. Hebrews reminds us that because our High Priest suffered for us, he is our focus as we endure suffering because we know the perfecter of our faith will never abandon us. He joyfully withstood his suffering to give us life now and life eternal.
Father, we are amazed by a love so great that you would send your only Son to save us. Thank you for Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. Thank you for the promise that our service and our suffering do not go unnoticed or unattended by you. We pray that just as the saints of old had a role in our faith, the suffering we endure might be used to strengthen the faith of others. Use us for your glory and your purposes today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Hebrews 6:10-12; 12:2 ESV
Photo by Doğukan Şahin on Unsplash
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