Hebrews 13 - 5.23.24
Hebrews 13:5b-6 SOAP
S – 5b“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
O – Hebrews 13 is the last chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament. The author is anonymous, although the internal reference to “our brother Timothy” caused a traditional attribution to Paul. These are the final exhortations strongly encouraging us in the loving way in which we should live, being content with all that God has already given us.
A – One thing Scripture should do in our lives is bring encouragement. We will ALL go through the storms. John 16:33 (NCV) I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.”
We need to look past the storms, knowing that Jesus has victory over all of them. We may not see it in this world, in our lifetime. Just as Mary Oberg pointed out in Tuesday’s reading, Hebrews 11: 13 All these people were living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
Sometimes these storms drag on and on…..and on and on! We don’t understand them, we don’t like them, and we certainly would like off the boat rocking us back and forth like a chew toy in my pups mouth! It feels unbearable at times. We WILL go through them regardless of if we want them or not and when we do, we have a choice… to let fear and worry get the best of us, causing us sickness, fatigue, anger and so much stress, OR we can trust in the Lord our God who IS our helper. He who tells us time and again that He is with us. He is right beside us, going ahead of us, and following behind us, protecting us, and blessing us in ways we cannot even imagine, nor will we ever know. We may lose things or even people, we may suffer, people may hurt us and disappoint us, but God is THERE in the midst, helping us get through it all! Hold on to the ONE thing that we need.
P – Lord Jesus, it has been a season of storms for so many of your DSC family. My heart hurts for each of them. My prayers are for them and with them. I am walking through my own storms and I too, want off the boat! Help us to seek You with all our hearts, to continue to do Your Will, to bless others, to love others, to be your hands and feet and get out of our heads and into your Word and your Business! Give us faith where we are lacking to KNOW that you are with us and that there is nothing to fear or to stress about. Nothing is a surprise to you and you have something beautiful (just like a rainbow) at the end of each storm. Please bring Your unsurpassing peace when we have the knowledge of Your mighty power, the knowledge of Your love for us, and the knowledge of Your heart for us, but don’t feel it. Help us to continue to encourage one another in every way! Thank you that we don’t need to worry.
- Crystal Flory
