We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Hannah Winslow.
Bible Reading:
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4
Word:
In Hebrews 12, the writer describes the believer’s life as a race that is being run. Our lives on this earth are filled with disappointment, trial, and heartbreak, and yet we are called into a life of joy, and peace, and obedience in serving and becoming more like our creator, Christ. To live in a manner worthy of the calling that we have received in Christ, we need a hope that comes from a higher perspective than the very limited and negative one that comes naturally.
In Romans 15:4, Paul is telling us that one of the purposes of the scriptures are to instruct us so that we can endure and be encouraged in the race we run for Christ! The scriptures are filled with instruction, encouragement, and a hope for the eternal future that Christ died to secure for us. When our eyes are fixed on things above, everything falls into an eternal, hope filled perspective; this perspective drives us to keep running faithfully even in trial and opposition. With God’s perspective, the opposition we face is not as discouraging or hurtful, and is certainly not debilitating, because we know that Christ has already won, and claims us as co-heirs in his victory over sin and death.
Because we are running our race with this eternal perspective, we are now able to help encourage and point others to freedom in their races! Romans 15:1-4 says that, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.’” (Jesus speaking to God)
Prayer:
Lord, please drive us into the scriptures and make us steadfast in your truth so that we can live hope filled lives for Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Skillwork:
Dig into the scriptures and remind your spirit to endure. Remember that Jesus endured the cross and did not despise it because of the joy set before him (the joy of securing our atonement and eternal unity with him, see Hebrews 12:2). The scriptures are a window into the joy set before us- keep reading and gaining encouragement and hope in Christ, the Word!
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