Hebrews 12:1–13 ‘No discipline seems pleasant… Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness…’ (v.11)
We live in the age of the cloud. With easy access to our digital stuff now seemingly a need, technology companies have developed a vast system that hosts our data, from which we can pull our digital assets without a fuss.
But we have a more vibrant cloud above us – that great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us in running the Christian race (v1).
They are not merely spectators, cheering us from afar, but are examples who can inspire us. (The Greek word for ‘witnesses’ actually implies ‘testifiers’; it forms the origin for the English word ‘martyr’.)
We see in this great cloud those who have endured the Father’s discipline. Such as Peter, who betrayed Jesus three times but whom Jesus lovingly restored.
No doubt Peter’s feelings of shame and betrayal rocked his sense of being, as he wept after the rooster crowed. But he later learned to curb his impetuous nature and became a key witness for Jesus in the building of His Church.
No one likes to be disciplined. And most parents don’t enjoy disciplining their children. But this pruning action brings about a harvest of righteousness and peace if we allow ourselves to be trained by it.
It shapes us and helps us to live in God’s ways by default. After all, the more that we practice a discipline, the more natural it feels.
We can ask God to help us strengthen our spiritual muscles to run the race marked out for us with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith.
A Prayer To Make:
‘Father God, we don’t like discipline, but we know that we can bear fruit that lasts. Work Your discipline in my life today. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Check your digital assets, and back them up if needed. As you do so, consider the cloud of witnesses and give thanks for someone who might be cheering you on from above.
Scripture To Consider:
Ps. 18:28–30; Isa. 40:29–31; Gal 5:7–9; 2 Tim. 4:6–8
