2020.08.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Hebrews 12:5-11

Read Hebrews 12:5-11 

Questions from the Scripture text: What speaks to us as sons (Hebrews 12:5)? Whose chastening and rebuke do we receive? How shouldn’t we respond? Whom does God chasten (Hebrews 12:6)? Whom does God receive? When is God dealing with us as sons (Hebrews 12:7)? What does verse 7 assume that all fathers will do with their children? If we have no chastening in our lives, then what aren’t we (Hebrews 12:8)? How does Hebrews 12:9 assume that children will treat their fathers? Of what does verse 9 call God the Father, and how does this relate to Hebrews 12:3? Why does God discipline us (Hebrews 12:10)? How does chastening seem for the present (Hebrews 12:11)? What does it produce? 

In this text, we learn some comforting things about the uncomfortable situations in our lives.

First, our lives are never out of control. Well, sure, they are always out of our control. Any idea that we are ever in control is a lie that we tell ourselves. And, often, it’s the uncomfortable times that the Lord uses to expose the lie.

But the Lord is always in control. So, Hebrews 12:5-6 call those uncomfortable times the “chastening,” “rebuke,” and even “scourging” of the Lord. But now we’ve gone from “lest you become discouraged” in Hebrews 12:3 to a command “do not be discouraged” in Hebrews 12:5.

Do not be discouraged! Why?

Reason 1: the Lord loves you. He loves you enough to do whatever is necessary to produce the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Reason 2: the Lord receives you. Actually the word in Hebrews 12:6 is more than that. He welcomes you. He takes you in. but sin cannot enter heaven. Heaven has a war against sin. That’s why righteousness is a peaceful fruit. That’s why being delivered from the ongoing presence of sin is worth whatever it takes.

Reason 3: the Lord treats you as a son. Being discouraged by His providence actually dishonors our heavenly Father and despises our fatherly God.

Does it not seem best to us? What is that next to the fact that it is what seems best to Him (Hebrews 12:10)?

You may be in an uncomfortable situation now. If not, and if you live a bit longer, you will be in an uncomfortable situation soon enough. How do I know? Because the Scripture says that if you are without discipline, you’re not a true son.

And it’s guaranteed to be painful, Hebrews 12:11. But do you know what else is guaranteed? The peaceful fruit of righteousness. The whole point of this isn’t the pain. It’s your true Father loving you and taking you to be with Himself forever.

What uncomfortable situation are you in or have been in? What is your Father doing in it?

Suggested Songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly I Am with You” or HB303 “Be Thou My Vision”