Episode 43: Hebrews 12

Today's Meditation is based on Hebrews 12 from the Passion Translation

I have all of these great witnesses who encircle me like clouds. So I must let go of every wound that has pierced me and the sin I so easily fall into. Then I will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before me. 

I look away from the natural realm and I focus my attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within me and who leads me forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that I would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!

I consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that I won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures. After all, I have not yet reached the point of sweating blood in my opposition to sin. 

I do not underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when he has to correct me. For the Lord’s training of my life is the evidence of his faithful love. And when he draws me to himself, it proves I am his delightful child.

I fully embrace God’s correction as part of my training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. I welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if I had never once endured his correction it would only prove that we are strangers, and that I am not his child.

As I respect my earthy father even though he corrected and disciplined me, I demonstrate an even greater respect for God, my spiritual Father, as I submit to his life-giving discipline. My parents corrected me for the short time of my childhood as it seemed good to them. But God corrects me throughout my life for my own good, giving me an invitation to share his holiness. Even though discipline seems to be painful at the time, I know that later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace if I yield to it. 

I am made strong even in my weakness by lifting up my hands in prayer and worship. He strengthens my knees, as I keep walking forward on God’s paths, and all my stumbling ways are divinely healed!

In every relationship, I am swift to choose peace over competition, and run swiftly toward holiness. I know if I am not holy, I will not see the Lord. I watch over my brothers and sisters to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. I do not allow a root of bitterness to sprout within me, and do all I can to prevent it in others. I know bitterness will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.

I do not live in immorality, or become careless about God’s blessings, like Esau who traded away his rights as the firstborn for a simple meal. Because later, it may be too late to repent.

I am not coming, as Moses did, to a physical mountain with its burning fire, thick clouds of darkness and gloom, and with a raging whirlwind. I am not being warned by the jarring blast of a trumpet and the thundering voice, fearful voice begging it to be silent. But I have already come near to God in a totally different realm, the Zion-realm, for I have entered the city of the Living God, which is the New Jerusalem in heaven! I have joined the festal gathering of myriads of angels  in their joyous celebration! 

As a member of the church of the Firstborn, my name has been legally registered as a citizen of heaven! And I have come before God who judges all, and who lives among the spirits of the righteous who have been made perfect in his eyes!

And I have come to Jesus who established a new covenant with his blood sprinkled upon the mercy seat; blood that continues to speak from heaven, “forgiveness,” a better message than Abel’s blood that cries from the earth, “justice.” 

I never refuse to listen to God when he speaks. For the God who spoke on earth from Sinai is the same God who now speaks from heaven. Those who heard him speak his living Word on earth found nowhere to hide, so what chance is there for me to escape if I turn my back on God and refuse to hear his warnings as he speaks from heaven?

The earth was rocked at the sound of his voice from the mountain, but now he has promised, “Once and for all I will not only shake the systems of the world, but also the unseen powers in the heavenly realm!”

The phrase “once and for all” clearly indicates the final removal of things that are shaking, that is, the old order, so only what is unshakable will remain. Since I am receiving my rights to an unshakable kingdom, I am extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart as I lay down my life in absolute surrender, filled with awe. For my God is a holy, devouring fire.

Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.

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