Hebrews 10:35-38, “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
Have you had a few days recently where you felt like giving up? Life seemed too complicated and took more effort and energy than you felt like giving. Maybe you felt you were contributing more than your team members were, so you have lost your patience due to being exhausted emotionally from your brain not stopping thinking how you can do things better. We all have felt that way at times. But all the way through Hebrews is the theme of God’s faithfulness and our need to continue to be confidently – expectantly, positively, hopefully, heartily, patiently abiding and faithful to Him.
The author of Hebrews was writing to people who were experiencing doubts about their faith. They had experienced persecution, particularly of hostile anti-Semitic attitudes by an emperor. Hebrews 3:6 declares, “But Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” The shield of faith, in the armor of God, needs to be engaged with triumphant courage and put on every day, in all circumstances, “which can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16. That builds endurance, steadfastness, and perseverance in sticking it out due to our faith and salvation found in Jesus Christ. It is like God having a lifeline around you.
Are you going through a season of discouragement? Or are you waiting on a strong desire or dream, or it could be a need of triumphant deliverance. “The toughest and most discouraging trials are when we are called to obey God’s will when the fulfillment of His promise seems so far away. Therefore we need endurance. Faithfulness during the time when the promise seems unfulfilled is the measure of your obedience and spiritual maturity.” David Guzik, Commentary. That is so true. As Jesus commanded in John 15:4, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” Webster’s dictionary definition of the word “abide” is to bear patiently; to endure without yielding; to wait for; to continue in a place; to dwell. Think about how you can better “abide in me” because Christ is right there with you and interceding for you (Hebrews 7:25).
Three separate times “the righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4) is quoted in the New Testament. Romans 1:17 emphasizes “The righteous shall live by faith,” Galatians 3:1 emphasizes “The righteous shall live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38 emphasizes, “The righteous shall live by faith.” So how am I to live? I am to live today by faith that God is in control of it all. His hand is upon the time clock of Christ’s return and the Rapture taking place. Any seemingly unfulfilled promises I encounter from anyone will occur. But God’s promises never fail and always come to fruition. It takes endurance–keeping on for Christ’s sake and walking in the light and radiance of God’s glory before others while abiding in Him.
Watching the world around us gives way to despair. A warning was just reported this week by a major US diesel supplier, of potential supply shortages. But the saving grace of Jesus Christ is never rationed or in short supply. His return is our reward. There is a final judgment day coming; it will surely come. Therefore, we are to live for heaven. We are to live by faith. As the VOICE version states Heb. 10:36-39 this way: “Remember this, and do not abandon your confidence, which will lead to rich rewards. Simply endure, for when you have done as God requires of you, you will receive the promise. As the prophet Habakkuk said, In a little while, only a little longer, the One who is coming will come without delay. But my righteous one must live by faith, for if he gives up his commitment, My soul will have no pleasure in him. My friends, we are not those who give up hope and so are lost; but we are of the company who live by faith and so are saved.” This is why we have to hold on – stick it out a little longer with patient endurance needed now. Continue to do God’s will, live by faith, as we will receive all that He has promised.
Listen to Phil Wickham’s It’s Always Been You (Official Lyric Video). May 14, 2021.