Saturday, August 27, 2016
Hebrews 12:11-12 ... No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees ...
THE RACE OF FAITH: RECAP
Some notes on Hebrews chapter 12 from The Lutheran Study Bible:
(12:1-2) "The Christian life is an endurance race, run with remembrance of the saints who have already finished. But most of all we look to Jesus and His cross. In Him, our race is already won."
(Prayer) Lord Jesus, save me from my sin, which clings so closely, and give me endurance to do Your will. Amen.
(12:5-6) "If so many judgments, pains, deaths, martyrdoms, crosses, swords, fires, and beasts, with which the saints are chastised, are fatherly rods and loving chastisements, what will be the wrath of the Judge over the ungodly? ... And if His judgment begins at the house of God, what will be the end of those who do not believe the Gospel?" (Martin Luther)
(12:3-17) "God sees you as holy through Christ's sacrifice and disciplines you to struggle against sin. The unpleasant discipline shows that the Lord loves you as a true child. Put your faith into practice by encouraging others and by doing works of service. The Lord is ever serving you, granting repentance, taking away your sins, and equipping you for a godly life."
(Prayer) Heavenly Father, share with me Your holiness, and let me see You face-to-face eternally. Amen.
Truly, those who view the Lord's loving discipline as training for their blood-bought souls will reap "the peaceable fruit of righteousness." Through faithful use of God's Means of Grace in Word and Sacrament let us "strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees."
Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor's crown of gold!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
(Lutheran Service Book, 677:3)
