#DailyDevotion The Divine Push For Endurance
Heb. 12 12And so, if your hands are letting go, take a firm hold; if you feel weak in your knees, stand firm; 13and make straight paths for your feet. Do this so that the crippled limb will not be dislocated but will be made well.
The author of Hebrews uses a number of athleticisms in this section. We are all running a race to our heavenly goal. The previous mentions of Jesus enduring, the Father’s discipline, and the prize at the end, if we don’t give up are the motivation to continue and listen to these exhortations.
He seems to be paraphrasing two passages from the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The first: Isa. 35, 3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the stumbling knees. 4Tell those who are worried: “Have courage, don’t be afraid. Look, your God comes with vengeance; God will pay back. He will come and save you.
The second being: Prov. 4, 20My son, pay attention to what I tell you, and listen to what I say. 21Don’t let these things get out of your sight, but keep them in the center of your heart, 22because they are life to those who find them and health to their whole bodies. 23More than anything else watch your heart, because from it flows your life. 24Put away from you a mouth that says crooked things; put far away from you lips that deceive. 25Let your eyes look forward, your gaze be straight ahead. 26Walk a straight path, and all your ways will be sure. 27Don’t turn to the right or to the left, and walk away from evil.
Certainly the promise in Isaiah 35:4 will come to mind to the congregation who hears this exhortation. We can only take a firm hold and stand firm knowing God is coming to save us and avenge us. Also, looking back to the previous verses where Jesus endured the cross and its shame for the joy set before Him, encourages us to endure as well. If we see congregation members becoming weak, we should exhort and encourage them as well, as we are one body and if one part of the boy is hampered, the whole body is hampered as well.
His references to making straight paths from the allusion to Proverbs 4 tells us how to make our paths straight. We are to take to heart the instructions he has given earlier in the book about what we are to believe and how we are to act in accordance with those beliefs. It is easier to heal an out of whack leg, hip or back when we walk on level ground, straight paths. The level ground and straight paths is the Word of God. We should not fall to the right or the left of the paths as they are just opposite errors. God’s Word, His commands and promises, are enough. We don’t need to add or subtract from it.
He is encouraging us with the words of buckle up, pull up your boot straps, and keep going like a good coach would to his athletes who are engaged in a contest or in training so we will push ourselves to our ultimate destination, the finish line, our joy in Christ Jesus and the rewards He has for those who remain faithful unto death.
In the following verses of this chapter we will receive more instruction in the way, the straight path we should walk upon. This section looks back to encourage us to living out our faith in Jesus and then forward as to how that will look in our daily lives.
Gracious Father, continually put in our paths those who speak Your Word, so we may hold firm, stand firm and walk in Your paths to the glory of Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.