AFTERNOON DEVOTION

[Godbetheglory]

SANCTUARY

"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest,
so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience."
- Hebrews 4:11

LEARN: "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son." (Hebrews 12:4-6)

One of the marks of a good athlete is discipline; they will do all that is necessary to bring their entire body under submission, so they can achieve their goal of winning the prize. As a result, the path to the victors' crown is marked with pain and suffering. In the race of the Christian life we are exhorted to look to our Victor, Jesus Christ, and all that He has suffered on our behalf, so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. He learned obedience through His suffering (Hebrews 5:8); and endured the cross with joy, because He knew that the hand of God was in it to accomplish His great work.

The path of life is filled with all kinds of trials and tribulations. From carelessness to car accidents, our daily life is filled with frequent and sudden situations that surprise us, and work to discourage us and hinder our spiritual progress. "Endure hardship as discipline" can be a hard pill to swallow when we are facing a difficult trial. Many find it difficult to believe that a good God would allow people to suffer. But we must not forget that while our God is infinitely good, He is also holy; therefore, He "disciplines us for our good that we may share in His holiness" (Hebrews 12:10b). For the believer, suffering is divine chastening, for we are children of God, and He "disciplines those He loves." We are exhorted in our reading to look to the One who has suffered for us and sympathizes with us to teach us how to suffer, so that we can be made partakers of His holiness and experience a life of fellowship with God which brings honor to Him, and helps others to see His light and love through our lives. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.
For what son is not disciplined by his father?
How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!"
(Hebrews 12:7, 9b)
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[Godbetheglory]

SANCTUARY

"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest,
so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience."
- Hebrews 4:11

LEARN: "But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven." (Hebrews 12:22-23a)

We are given a beautiful picture of the blessings of life and liberty that are ours as we read of two different mountains: Sinai and Zion. The first represents the old covenant of law, which kept God's people at a distance and brought fear and terror into their hearts; and the second, represents the new covenant, which invites the people of God to come near to Him, allowing God to touch and fill their hearts with His love and life and power. Sinai revealed the weakness of man and human effort, which could never gain entrance into the Holiest of All, the presence of God; while Zion shows forth the power of God by the Holy Spirit who fills us with the spirit of holiness and brings us into fellowship with holy God. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6b).

As we rejoice in the way that has been opened to us to come "to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God" (v. 22a), we are also given another warning, reminding us of the greater privileges we have been given in the covenant of grace, and our responsibility now to be careful to heed the voice that comes from the heavenly sanctuary, and not from the top of a mountain. "If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven?" (v.25). Our God is a consuming fire who draws us near the flame of divine love to warm our hearts and to purify our lives, but His holiness is also a fire that will bring the fire of wrath and judgment upon the evil and all those who refuse His Son. May we hear the "better word" that the blood of Christ speaks and heed His call to come close, so He can transform us into His glorious holy image.

"You have come to God, the judge of all men,
to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant,
and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."
(Hebrews 12:23b-24)
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[Godbetheglory]

SANCTUARY

"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest,
so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience."
- Hebrews 4:11

LEARN: "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:7-8)

As we look with anticipation and hopeful expectation of the inauguration of a new season before us, we are exhorted, in our reading today, to remember those who have gone before us (the faithful leaders in the faith), and to remember their faithful stewardship of all that had been entrusted to their care at their particular moment in history (v.7). We are reminded that even though times change and people leave, we have One who never changes, and who will never leave or forsake us. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (v.8). May we look with trustful dependence upon our faithful Mediator and not to any man. But let us pray fervently for those who have been seated in positions of authority, that they will honor God with the sacred trust that has been placed in their hands for a time. May we be willing to take up the torch that has been handed to us, and steward the light of the gospel in a manner worthy of the great name of our Lord and Savior and King, Jesus Christ.

May we remember in the days ahead that we are priests of the Lord, set apart for His service and raised "to royal position for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14b). We have been brought into the Holiest of All to receive His heavenly power and life, so that we can imitate our Great High Priest in His humility, sacrifice and suffering in service to others. May we become an instrument of righteousness to proclaim His glory, and a channel of blessing for others to experience His great love. May our lives be wholly given up to God to be a vessel filled with His fullness and poured out as a drink offering on a dry and weary land, that times of refreshing may come upon our nation to the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom in this world. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light...Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us" (1 Peter 2:9, 12).

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.
They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.
Obey them so that their work will be a joy,
not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
(Hebrews 13:17)
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