Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted.
What gospel-motivated grace to persevere! When I feel weary and faint-hearted, I need to consider my Savior. He endured the cross for the joy set before him (see the preceding verses in Hebrews 12), the joy of victoriously reconciling people to God through his death and resurrection. He endured those who beat him and mocked him, though he had done nothing to deserve such a punishment. I was one of those hostile sinners until he saved me. My sins are so much worse than any of my sufferings, and yet Christ shed his blood to pay for my sins. Considering the One who endured such enmity and such pain in my place gives me a second (or two-hundred-and-second) wind to keep running, even when infertility sometimes leaves me feeling breathless.
2 comments:
Isn't it wonderful that we can find strength and peace in our Lord? 1 Thess 5:18 instructs us to give thanks in ALL circumstances.... That is so hard to do. I can't imagine Jesus thanking the Lord when he was carrying His cross, being beaten, and being crucified. It's amazing to think that he expects us to do the same... I'm going to pick up my cross and carry it farther. We can do this...this will NOT defeat us.
Scripture has been a constant encouragement to me...going to have to add this one to my list. Thanks for sharing, girl!
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