This chapter portrays God as a parent, but it also seems to compare Him to a coach. In the first few verses we were admonished to lay aside any weights which would hold us back and run with patience the race that is set before us. Here in vv. 12 and 13 we are again called on to draw on the Lord's strength and "mark out a straight path" for our feet in order to encourage others who may be weak. If we are truly living for Christ, we will always be looking beyond our own selves.
v. 14 tells us "Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life,..." If we are in a right relationship with God, we should also be right with fellow believers. We may not always FEEL loving toward others, but we can pursue peace and harmony with them. v. 14
Watch out for bitterness! It is a poisonous root that will grow out into many unhappy and even dangerous results. v. 15 It robs us of our personal peace, and it steals our joy. No one wants to be around a bitter person. Bitterness even makes us look old and cranky! Who wants that? I can live with "smile lines," but I really don't want bitter "frown lines."
Psalm 134
This is a psalm about worshiping God and experiencing the joy that comes from it. This psalm is good medicine to help us avoid the bitterness we are warned about in Hebrews 12.
- Offer praises to the Lord.
- Serve the Lord.
- Pray!
- Praise the Lord again!
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