the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Hebrews 12:4-17
In the family a child is subject to his parents’ training. This may cause a few tears but the child, when grown, will have cause to thank his parents for such an upbringing. If we are the sons and daughters of God, it is impossible for us not to experience His discipline (v. 8), for the holy God wants to mould His children into His own image (v. 10). Yet this discipline could lead us to two quite opposite reactions: firstly we could despise it and pay no attention to it at all. We should rather be "exercised by it"; that is to say, we should judge ourselves before the Lord, looking for the reason why He has sent such a trial upon us (Job 5:17). The opposite danger is that we might lose courage (v. 5; Ephesians 3:13). In that case, let us remember the name given to a believer under discipline: "(the one) whom the Lord loveth" (v. 6). Let us pursue peace with all men but not at the expense of holiness (v. 14). Let us not forget that we ourselves are the objects of grace and let us chase from our hearts the roots of bitterness (literally "germs of poison"). Hidden at first, they will show themselves sooner or later if they are not judged immediately (Deuteronomy 29:18).
Esau who could not be named in the preceding chapter with the other members of his family is mentioned here to his eternal shame. Let none of us be like him.
