John N N Ng’ang’a Meditation of December 30th, 2024 Hebrews 12 Walk in victory and smile in the storms of life.
Day 1
Hebrews 12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The book of Hebrews is a book about faith, a book on what God has accomplished for us, and it is also a book about the superiority of Christianity over Judaism, the superiority of Christianity over ancestral worship, and the superiority of Christianity over any other religion, which is man’s effort to reach God. Hebrews explains that God reached out to us, and hence His Son died on the cross for us.
The final chapters, chapters 12 and 13, cover more of the application questions. It is important that we understand that the examples given are for our use.
In verse 1, it says: therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Therefore, it means that in justification, once you know the sacrifice Jesus made, the application is that whatever you go through, you should not be tempted to give up because you can see that Jesus never gave up.
We compare what He did to how we face our challenges. We have challenges, but His challenges were bigger! Are you following Christ’s example? We need to look at His endurance, what He endured, and the fact that He endured right into death without quitting.
What about you? Do you feel like God has abandoned you? Do you feel that God has not done the things He should have done, and so you give up? Yet you have not even reached the point of shedding blood. What about the amount of work that still needs to be done? Do you grow weary or faint-hearted?
Consider Christ! Did He grow weary? You know, the truth is, the Hebrew Christians had suffered. Wherever they were, they suffered. Christianity started with suffering and challenges. You need to look at the book of Acts and see the number of times Paul was beaten to the point of death and left for dead, yet he continued serving the Lord, following the example of Christ. Many others also suffered but were not necessarily killed.
That is what verse 4 wants us to understand: that we have not reached the point of death in our suffering. We are not at that point ourselves yet.
Day 2
Hebrews 4
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
and that may be one of the problems you have. you think it is a terrible thing to suffer, yet you have not even reached the worst. it can be worse!
Another issue arises in verses 5 and 6: 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one, he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.
When you get discouraged because of your troubles, it may be because you have forgotten these words of encouragement that address you as sons: the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as a son. So, why get discouraged? Maybe it is because you have not considered the suffering of Christ. Or perhaps it is because you do not realize that things can actually be worse. You have not even reached the worst—Jesus reached the shedding of blood.
So why are you discouraged? Maybe you have forgotten that the loved child is the one who is disciplined. God has not forgotten you. It means He loves you as you go through your challenges. Yes! God disciplines His children to show love. His intention is not to cause you to quit but to show you that He actually does love you. That is a very important thing to be aware of.
We need to understand this: whenever we see someone with a problem, we often start saying, “What have they done?” or “Ah! She must have aborted when she was young. No wonder! That must be why she is suffering in her 60s!”
God wants you to be reminded that He is not disciplining you in every instance because of something you have done wrong. Discipline isn’t always a sign of divine disapproval. Of course, there are times we suffer because of our way of life, disobedience, or rebellion, but there is also suffering that is caused by love.
When you accept discipline as a way of revealing God’s love and care, it establishes the father-child relationship and helps you accept suffering as a means to develop your character.
So, that is the way you need to view your suffering and your challenges. The fact that God has not answered your prayers or that He seems to have forgotten you should not discourage you. He wants you to consider these things before you start feeling lost and alone. Yes! God disciplines with a purpose.
Just look at verse 7: 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
We are to endure hardship as discipline. Take hardship as discipline. Why? Because God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father if he is truly your father?
Day 3
Hebrews 12
8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Yes, God has a reason for our suffering! It is for our good, and it is also proof that we are His children. Through this discipline, we may share in His holiness. So, how could you ever say, “I have endured,” if there is nothing to endure? The challenges themselves show that it is an endurance test.
Thus, discipline legitimizes your position as a child of God. It causes us to be dependent on Him and to also respect Him as our Father. In the process, you learn to live in holiness, which is very important for a Christian.
Discipline may seem unpleasant—it always does! But it yields the fruit of righteousness, and the results are always wonderful. It is only when you see the results that you forget about the suffering. The fruit of God’s discipline is something you would admire because it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace. This means that because of discipline, you enjoy righteousness and peace. And in the process, you can clearly say you are strengthened.
The result of discipline during the rough patches you go through is peace beyond understanding.
Day 4
Hebrews 12
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed
That way, the lame may not be disabled but rather healed. Thus, you are lifted and strengthened through the discipline we are talking about. As verse 13 says: 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
When we have been disciplined, it becomes easier to relate with others, whether they are rich or poor. When you have learned discipline, you learn how to relate with people better. This is what verse 14 is saying: 14 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Because of the discipline we have gone through, we can live at peace with others! And in the process, we are allowed to see the Lord. Thus, if you want peace, learn to accept spiritual discipline. Verse 15 adds: 15 “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Verse 16 warns us: 16 “See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.”
So be careful! Discipline will help you take your walk with the Lord seriously. Verse 15 emphasizes that you should rely on the grace of God, recognizing that many things are available to you through His grace. Discipline helps you avoid pitfalls, like those faced by Esau.
When you are disciplined, you can say, “Ah! I can endure to the end.” For example, if your boss says, “If you don’t do this wrong thing, I will fire you,” discipline gives you the courage to respond, “I will not do what is wrong.” Even if you lose your job, you trust that God will be with you in your joblessness.
Esau made the mistake of thinking, “Oh! What if I die of hunger?” Discipline helps you reach the point where you are so assured of God’s protection that you do not feel pressured to give in to the devil in any way.
Day 5
Hebrews 12
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[c] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[d]
From verse 18, the focus shifts to two mountains: the mountain of fear and the mountain of joy, symbolizing the experiences available to those who walk by faith. The sight at Mount Sinai was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." The first mountain encountered in discipleship is Mount Sinai—a mountain of fear. It is described as a place where God, in His holiness, warns sinful people not to come near. Access to Him was severely restricted, unlike what we experience in Christianity.
The book of Hebrews consistently compares Judaism to Christianity, emphasizing that Judaism was a religion of fear, while Christianity offers peace with God. This distinction is significant.
Now, consider how Mount Zion is described, beginning with verse 22: 22 “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
Mount Zion is not a mountain of fear. It is the mountain Christians approach—a city of the living God. As believers, we are always in God’s presence. Being in the city of the living God means continually experiencing His presence.
At Mount Zion:
- You are surrounded by countless angels, even though you may not see them.
- You are part of a joyful assembly—the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
- You have come to God, the Judge of all, who remains just.
- You are among the spirits of the righteous made perfect, the company of those who have been made righteous.
Most importantly, you have come to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant. Verse 24 explains that His sprinkled blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance, but Jesus’ blood declares mercy and pardon.
This mountain, Mount Zion, represents the new reality for Christians. It is the city built by God, for which we yearn. You are surrounded by numberless angelic servants as you await Christ’s second coming.
Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life are part of this mountain. It is essential to think about this truth. You have also come into fellowship with the departed faithful saints, who, like us, are waiting for the revelation of the Son of God. When the trumpet sounds, the dead and the living will meet the Lord in the air.
At this mountain, you encounter Jesus, your mediator, whose blood brings mercy and pardon, not fear or vengeance. This is the essence of Christianity—it is not about fear but about peace, joy, and redemption through Christ.
Day 6
Hebrews 12
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.
So, you have come to the New Testament kingdom, a stable and unshakable kingdom, very different from the Old Testament kingdom. See to it that you do not act ignorantly. Now that you know where you have come to and what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be in the church, see to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven?
Verse 26 says: at that time, His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’
Verse 27 continues: the words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
At that time, His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised: once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. The words once more indicate the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Now that you know where you are, listen to the One who speaks. Christ speaks to you—that is what verse 25 says. Moses warned from earth, but Jesus warns from heaven. He is calling you to live righteously and listen to His voice. The Israelites could not escape the consequences of ignoring God’s words, and we will not escape the consequences of ignoring Jesus’ words either!
If we ignore the commandments and what Christ has told us directly through His Word, there will be punishment. That is something important for us to hear. He shook the earth at Mount Sinai—yes, He did—and once more, He will shake the heavens. What does that mean? It means God is still in charge. In Haggai 2:6, He reminds us that the created will be shaken and removed, so that what cannot be shaken—His eternal kingdom—may remain.
This shaking ensures that our minds are not tied to Judaism, tribal religion, or temporal things. We must shake ourselves free and fully surrender to Christ, following what He has commanded.
Therefore, today’s saints need to show their gratitude. They should express their thankfulness for being part of the Lord’s kingdom. Regarding the two mountains, you can see the advantages of the mountain of grace. Why would we not thank God? We are no longer limited but can offer acceptable worship to God with reverence and awe. Isn’t that what verses 28–29 are telling us? Verse 29 is a quotation from Deuteronomy 4:24.
We are motivated to offer God acceptable service, and that service must be given with reverence and awe. We must also show our gratefulness and faithfulness by not falling away. Stick with it—that is what we were told at the beginning. Christ endured all the way to death, and so should we.
What is shaking you currently that is causing you to hesitate in your walk with the Lord? This is something you need to keep in mind as you continue your Christian journey.
Day 7
Hebrews 12
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The essence of this chapter is to encourage you to compare yourself with Christ. If you do so, you will realize that you have a much easier time than He did. Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, remember that there are people waiting for us—witnesses who are mentioned in Chapter 11. Many of them endured immense suffering yet remained faithful to the Lord. Some were even sawn in two, but they never recanted their faith.
Why, then, should you walk victoriously? Because there are many witnesses who have gone before you. Some are still alive and continue to walk in righteousness.
Knowing this, throw off everything that hinders your spiritual walk. What is hindering you from walking with the Lord? It may be a weight or burden. Additionally, the writer speaks of sin that easily entangles. The sin that entangles you might not be the same for someone else. Identify it and keep away from it. For example, if you used to drink, avoid keeping alcoholic drinks in your house. Otherwise, you risk falling back into drunkenness. If you were involved in prostitution, avoid places where you might be tempted. That is the sin that easily entangles you.
If you truly want to walk righteously, you must run with perseverance. Do not run while panting or complaining; instead, run with endurance and perseverance. Understand that there is a race marked out specifically for you. Each one of us has a unique race, and we must follow it as planned. If you want to win, verse 2 says: fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Do you want to walk victoriously? Then do not let your focus shift. Like Peter, who walked on water but began to sink when he looked at the waves, fix your eyes on Jesus. He loves you, has already won the battle for you, and is willing to walk with you through life’s challenges. He is the pioneer and perfecter of your faith. Remember, there is a joy awaiting you. Just as Christ endured the cross and scorned its shame for the joy set before Him, you too have joy awaiting you. Even if you are not celebrating now, there is joy coming.
Verse 3 advises us to consider Christ, who endured such opposition from sinners, so that we will not grow weary or lose heart. Verse 4 reminds us that, although we suffer, most of us have not yet resisted sin to the point of shedding blood.
We are also reminded that God disciplines His children. Every challenging situation serves as discipline. Only illegitimate children or visitors are not disciplined by the father. If you are not disciplined, then you may not truly be His child. As verse 11 says: no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Verse 14 further instructs us: make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
You cannot live an unholy life and still claim to be on the path to heaven. Though Christ died for your sins, you must acknowledge and repent whenever you fall into sin. Seek His help to walk in victory because that is what truly matters.
Remember the two mountains: mount Sinai, which was trembling and fearful, where people could not approach God, and Mount Zion, where Christians can have fellowship with God. As Christians, we are not Mount Sinai people. We have Christ with us and can enjoy His presence and victory.
Therefore, let us be thankful and worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
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