As the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 had become examples of those who had lived lives of faith, we should also be challenged by their lives of obedience and follow in their footsteps (12:1-3). Although living a life of faith would possibly bring persecution and trials, the writer of Hebrews calls believers to remember the example of Jesus Christ, who went all the way to the cross (12:3-5) and suffered the ultimate persecution – death. The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers that they had not yet experienced death, so they should continue being faithful to God and His ways. Trials and persecution have a way of teaching believers and guiding them in the right direction, so he urges believers to “not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him” because “whom the Lord loves He chastens.” Some of the Hebrews were being persecuted because they had rejected the Levitical system of worship, but they were not to lose heart! Trials are not just a result of doing right, they are sometimes a result of sin and we are encouraged to “endure chastening” because “God deals with you as sons.” Earthly fathers discipline their children and we still respect them (12:9a), so how much more should we respect God when He disciplines us (12:9b). God’s discipline in our life is “for our profit” so that “we may be partakers of His holiness.” Although experiencing God’s discipline is never joyful, it results in a righteous life (12:10-11a). The writer desired that his readers would respond to God’s discipline with the right heart attitude because it would ultimately lead to a righteous life. We must regularly examine our life and respond to any discipline we are experiencing knowing that the right response (submission to God) will lead to holiness!
Dear God, provide the strength I need to endure trials and discipline so that I can live a life of faith and holiness.
