“Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Thursday, June 2, 2005
"It Will Be"
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded" (Hebrews 10:35).
As I prepare for today's encouragement I read an article reminding me of the persecution so many of our Christian brothers and sisters are enduring all around the world. I just read the report of a man who was beaten in front of his five year old son and then taken to a detention center. His wife has not heard from him since.*
One of the most fulfilling aspects to this online ministry is the ability to share encouragement with believers regardless of where they live. Brooksyne and I regularly hear from believers living under conditions of persecution and are grateful for the opportunity to connect and assure them of our prayer and interest.
We regularly pray as a family and consider our blessings in our little corner of the world. Thus far we just don't know persecution like this. We live in a peaceful rural area and the contrast between our situation and that which so many go through is outstanding. However we pray for these brethren. (see Hebrews 13:3)
The early Hebrew Christians were enduring persecution and were tempted to return to their old way of life. However, every generation of believers has this call to persevere. Every individual follower of Christ has this call as well. The letter to the Hebrews laboriously teaches the superiority of the way of Christ over the old religious system the initial readers had come out of. Of course His way is infinitely superior to any system devised by man.
A key purpose of the entire letter to the Hebrews can be summed up in the exhortation and promise of the daily verse. "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded."
The exhortation – "Do not throw away your confidence." This is the confidence or assurance believers have in Christ. We are not to throw it away or cast it aside.
The promise – "it will be richly rewarded." Notice the certainty of this promise "it will be"; not might be or should be. Praise God it will be richly rewarded. How and when will this happen our hearts cry out, especially if we are in the midst of a trial? But I particularly consider this with those being persecuted.
This answer is not given, but the writer goes on to say, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised" (Hebrews 10:36). Keep trusting today fellow believer. Your confidence in Christ will be richly rewarded!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: “I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God’s Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life’s goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity.”
© Copyright 2005 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
"Living today anchored in God’s solid foundation"