warm-up

Think about a friend or leader you look up to for his or her hopefulness. How do they show this trait?

Tell about a time you felt a lot of pressure. What factor do you consider to be a source of pressure?

Have you been through a time of great pain? How did you overcome?

word

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39

(Read also Hebrews 10:32–39.)

The epistle to the Hebrews lists men and women throughout the Bible who displayed great faith. The author of this epistle aimed to encourage the Hebrew believers who were facing struggles and pressure by reminding them of how they had formerly responded in the right way to struggles: in light of the promises of Jesus Christ. The author writes to call them back to their former faith, reminding them to persevere in their faith and in the process preserve their souls, even in the midst of struggles and pressure. Today, we will look at three reasons why we can persevere in our faith even in times of struggle.

1
Lasting Possession

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Hebrews 10:34

One right way to respond to struggles is to accept them joyfully, keeping your eyes fixed on the abiding possession. When this letter was written, one form of persecution against the believers was that thieves could steal from them and the government would not arrest the thieves. The author of Hebrews encouraged believers that they had a lasting possession in God, even if they lost their earthly possessions. We, too, can maintain great faith in spite of losing our temporary belongings, because we have a lasting possession in Jesus. What is one thing you had to give up on earth, knowing you would have an eternal reward?

2
Great Reward

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Hebrews 10:35

The author of Hebrews pleaded that the believers should not give up their faith and certainty in God, which would carry them through the temporary discomfort on earth. He asked them to recall their former confidence, which has a great eternal reward. Was there a time that your confidence in the promises of God was shaken? How did you respond?

3
Better Promise

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36

Continuing, the author of Hebrews exhorted the believers to look forward so they could endure trials happening right now. After Christ rose, He fulfilled the Law; the promise of God is not something that we have to earn, but something already waiting for us. The Bible says we can look forward to receiving what was promised once we have done the will of God. How does God’s purpose and plan encourage you and keep you looking forward?

application

Have you put your hope and faith in the eternal God, our great reward? Would you like to pray with someone about putting your hope in Him?

Do you respond in the right way to struggles and hardships? What are some things you can do this week to begin responding in faith and confidence in God?

Is anyone close to you experiencing hardship? Pray with them to renew their faith.

prayer

Thank God for being your eternal hope and the giver of your confidence. Thank Him for the great reward that He has promised if you endure and do His will.

Ask God to give you the name of one person that needs prayer because of the struggle he or she is facing now. Commit that person to God in prayer today and find a way to send that person a message of encouragement.

Pray that you will constantly look forward to the lasting possession, great reward, and better promise that you have in Christ. Pray for deeper and greater faith even in the midst of pressure.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
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