Hebrews 10 (6)

Introduction
The writer returns to encouragement and exhortation, building on his readers’ good beginnings in the faith to arrest their drift and set them back on the path of promise, hope, and rest. Sure, they’ve had some troubles, but bearing up under these is part of God’s will on the path of knowing and resting in Him. They must not become distracted from that destination, so that they draw back from holding fast their confidence firm to the end. He urges them to endure through their trials to continue realizing more of their great salvation.

Meditate on Psalm 84.

Read Hebrews 10.32-39.

Think it through.
1. Psalm 84 nicely summarizes the life of faith as a journey of sacrifice and perseverance on the road to our eternal dwelling place in God and His rest. Which parts of this psalm might have been most relevant for the situation of the first readers of Hebrews? Which are most relevant for you? In the case of the first readers of Hebrews, suffering – their Valley of Baca – came right away. What did their suffering entail (v. 33)? He mentions two reasons for their suffering. What were they, and how might we expect to know these today (vv. 32, 33)? He recalls their response to these sufferings in verse 34. They gave up something even as they held on to something else. Explain. What should we learn from their example about how to journey through our own Valley of Tears?

2.  The writer mentions a “reward” for holding fast our confidence firm to the end. What does he have in mind (recall Psalm 84)? What “promise” (v. 36) is the writer thinking about? How is that promise indicated in verses 37 and 38, and when ultimately should we expect to know that promise? In what sense is the writer using the phrase “believe to the saving of the soul” in verse 39? That by enduring we earn salvation? Or something else. Explain. Summarize: When “reproaches and tribulations” come upon us because of our faith, what should we do?

Meditate.
“‘Do not throw away your confidence,’ your boldness based on your works, based on your faith, based on your periods of testing, based on your endurance. For these things bestow great confidence on us, that we will obtain the promise.” Photius (820-891 AD)

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans… 1 Thessalonians 2.13, 14

Grant me endurance, O Lord, so that I will…

Pray Psalm 40.1-10.
Use these verses to recall and give thanks for God’s mercy to you in the early days of your journey with Him, and to declare your determination to endure with Him, come what may.

Psalm 40.1-10 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry, 
Lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save.

Blessed are all who trust in You, turning both from lies and pride.
Countless wonders, Lord, You do, and Your thoughts with us abide.
Lord, Your worth who can declare?  None with You can e’er compare.

Off’rings You do not require – open now my ears, O Lord – 
What from me do You desire?  Firm delight to do Your Word.
Take my life in ev’ry part; write Your Law upon my heart.

Lord, Your truth will I proclaim to Your people gathered ‘round, 
Nor will I my lips restrain – let Your precious ways resound!
Of Your saving grace and Word I would speak, most loving Lord.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.