Endurance to Receive His Promises
35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36)
Last Friday, we read the author’s accounts of the believers as they had gone through many trials, ranging from public insult to imprisonment. Yet, through all these trials, these believers held fast to their faith, being secured in the saving knowledge of Christ and His future promises. So, in light of their proven track record, the author here encourages them to continue on by saying, “Don’t throw away your confidence, which as a great reward.” They were already going to receive a reward due to their current circumstances. But, because of their enduring faith, they can expect to receive an even greater reward in the future in heaven due to God’s promises and His goodness. In order to do this, they would need “endurance,” which is produced under trials. We see this point in James 1:2-4,
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
This endurance would be formed through their trust in God in these moments of testing. And with this endurance, the believers would be able to accomplish “God’s will,” and they will “receive what was promised.” Mature believers know that the Christian life is not an easy one if one relied on their own strength. Thankfully, God promises to provide for His follower’s needs. Two verses that come to mind for me is, Lamentations 3:22-24, which says,
22 Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!
24 I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.”
And Psalm 73:26,
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.
We just need to rely on His daily provision to overcome the trials in our lives, and through these victories, be encouraged to persevere until we accomplish God’s will for our lives.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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