Feb 18 2022

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

In this verse, the writer of Hebrews encourages us to press on confidently in the Lord. After we have done the work that He has called us to do, it might take time before we reap the benefits or see Him move as we hope. Today, we'll look at this verse in detail to understand what it is saying and how it affects the way we live.

It is helpful to know the context of this verse to understand its meaning. The writer was talking to persecuted Jewish Christians, reminding them of their own great suffering. Their response to this suffering had been to accept it with joy because they had confidence in the Lord's faithfulness. The writer reminds them not to lose confidence in God because they will be rewarded. After they have endured and done the will of God, they will receive the promise.

It can be difficult to endure in the Lord. It's hard to accept persecution and trials over and over again. It's tough to keep pressing into the Lord when you're in a culture that hates God, and sometimes the costs of the Christian life seem greater than the rewards. But Hebrews makes it clear: it is worth it. Doing the will of the Lord, especially amidst suffering, is always worth it.

It is worth it because the Lord is faithful. He will not forget what we have decided to give up in order to honor Him. He will often not give the reward immediately, so patience and endurance are necessary. The wait time between sowing the seed and the harvest can stretch on for a very long time years, decades, or even into another life.

And yet it is worth it because all the Lord's promises are true. He has already given us more than the Christian life will ever cost us, and we are not even on the other side of Heaven yet! Remember this when suffering hits and endure and abide in the Lord.

Father, I thank you for helping me endure suffering. Help me to wait patiently in your name during the time between obedience and reaping. Help me remember that you are the greatest reward—that nothing compares to truly resting in you always. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.

Feb 17 2022

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. :

Of all the thoughts you may have about God, have you considered that He takes pleasure in you? This thought, clearly articulated in Psalm 149, makes my head spin. I look at myself and so often see a sinner instead of the saint that the Lord has declared Christians to be. However, you can see the error of my ways in that last sentence: I look at myself and see me, whereas God looks at me and sees Jesus.

When we become Christians, we put on the righteousness of Christ. Who we once were is dead and now Christ lives within us, which is what makes us Christians. This is who we are. When God looks at us, He sees Jesus and He takes pleasure in us. This means it is also okay for us to take pleasure in ourselves. We can rest knowing that Jesus lives within us and that every day we are becoming more and more like Him.

The Lord also takes pleasure in us because we are His creation. He made us from the dirt and He loves us like a parent loves a child. Even if we do something wrong and shameful, He will receive us. He will not erase the consequences of our wrongdoing, but He wants us to always come to Him because He takes pleasure in us.

The second half of the verse says He will give salvation to those who are humble. To be saved, in other words, we must understand why we need salvation. We must take a proper view of our sin as something hateful that forever separates us from God to receive the Gospel. Our understanding of the Gospel will be as deep as our understanding of the gravity of sin. And then, when we call out to the Lord, He will beautify us with salvation. He will wash our sins clean, erased before Him, and welcome us into His Kingdom.

Today, we can rest in the fact that the Lord takes pleasure in us because Jesus has made a way to wash us clean. When the Lord sees us, He does not see messed up sinners asking Him for favors. Rather, He sees His children sanctified by the holiness of Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, I am so glad that you take pleasure in me! Thank you for creating me and giving me a purpose and hope. Help me to honor the new life that you have given me. Thank you for Jesus, who changed me. In Jesus' name, amen.


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