Stick It Out!

Stick It Out

Reading: Hebrews 9-11 35 So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! 36 But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. (Hebrews 10:35-36 MSG)

Christ-followers were being increasingly persecuted throughout the Roman Empire. The Jewish Christians to whom this message was directed had suffered first as Jews and then as Jewish believers in Christ, and they were dangerously near persecution exhaustion. The Hebrews letter contains some poignant and important exhortations to these suffering people to hang on and not give up. What about us? Life has its ups and downs. We have good days and not so good days! Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug! And you know what? Sometimes it’s not the short, sharp shock of intense pain from persecution or willing sacrifice that gets us. Sometimes it’s the wearying, daily grind that makes us want to throw in the towel. We’ve got to remember (sometimes be reminded) that what was true then is true now. The truth you believed that made it worthwhile to commit your life unreservedly to Christ is still the truth today. What made it worthwhile to suffer loss with joy makes it worthwhile to stick it out and stay with God’s plan. 22 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. 23 Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. 24 Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, 25 not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22-25 MSG) Prayer: Father, Thanks for the encouraging reminder today. There have been a lot of sacrifices through the years and some pretty hard knocks and painful experiences in the process of following your plan. I’m not going to let past regrets, present challenges, or future fears trick me into letting go. I’m going to stay with your plan and be there for the promised completion. Amen! Let’s do it!