Don't Turn Back! Persevere By Faith!
Perseverance is Essential
History is full of examples and stories of people exhibiting exceptional endurance and perseverance. American history is no different. Colonial settlers faced enormous odds, uncertainty, and opposition as they carved out a life in a new land and birthed a new nation.
As the nation expanded westward, it faced new challenges in the unsettled territories. The same is true with the birth of modern aviation, which paved the way for manned space flights. Countless and untold heroic stories of perseverance took place in battles for freedom from the Revolutionary War to present conflicts.
Perseverance is way under-valued. It’s not exciting or glamorous, but it is a vital element in the pursuit of freedom. And so it is with the Christian faith. Spiritual endurance and perseverance are key to a genuine life of faith.
The warnings and exhortations found throughout the Book of Hebrews were meant to encourage, not discourage. In this fourth warning and exhortation, the warning is, “Don’t turn back!” Keep moving forward by faith!
Scripture Text
Remember the past, when you first learned the truth. You endured a lot of hardship and pain. At times you were publicly insulted and mistreated. At times you associated with people who were treated this way.
You suffered with prisoners. You were cheerful even though your possessions were stolen, since you know that you have a better and more permanent possession. [vss 32-34]
So don’t lose your confidence. It will bring you a great reward. You need endurance so that after you have done what God wants you to do, you can receive what he has promised.
“Yet, the one who is coming will come soon. He will not delay. The person who has God’s approval will live by faith. But if he turns back, I will not be pleased with him.”
We don’t belong with those who turn back and are destroyed. Instead, we belong with those who have faith and are saved. [vss 35-39] (Hebrews 10:32-39 GW)
[Context– Hebrews 10]
Key Phrase —
So don’t lose your confidence—it will bring you a great reward.
Dig Deeper Into the Text—
What specific things are believers encouraged to remember?
What are they exhorted not to lose, and what do they need to receive what God promised?
Why are these exhortations necessary, and how are they connected to the primary theme of the book of Hebrews?
What is the last encouraging statement, and how was it encouraging to those believers then and for us now?
Things to Consider—
This strong exhortation encouraged believers not to go back to an empty and dead form of religion. It is as true today for us as it was for them.
When I taught through the Book of Hebrews in our Bible School in the Philippines, I often repeated a phrase in the students’ dialect—"Bantay ka! Padayon mo!” The phrase loosely means, “Watch out! Continue on! It was a simple reminder to emphasize the essential message of the warnings and exhortations to these Hebrew believers.
Are you discouraged in your faith? Are things in life not going the way you expected and hoped?
Don't turn back! Keep pressing on in faith. Endure. Persevere.
God is faithful, and we need to be faithful to Him. He will not abandon us, even though it may seem like that from our limited view of life. He won't abandon us even when we fail Him or stumble in our faith. If you want God's acceptance and approval, then continue in your faith.
The Lord is faithful, and He promised to return for those who trust in Him. Even though it may seem like an overdue promise, it's not. God is far more patient and long-suffering than we are. We just need to trust Him and persevere by faith.
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life—
Have you wondered at times why you should keep doing what is right and just and good?
Can you see how very personal God's promises are and how personal faith is?
What is discouraging you right now? Are you willing to entrust this to the Lord?
In what ways has God shown His faithfulness to you?
Let the ways God encourages you help you persevere in your faith!
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
