Hebrews 12
As an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and informed by God that he was going to put his Spirit back in the church through me, I knew that Hebrews chapter 12 would have to be obeyed by all. God's dealings with my life for the past 35 years has been one of correction.
Proverbs 8:20-21 says, "I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: v.20 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures." v.21 This explains my prosperity.
Hebrews 12:1-17, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, v.1
Since May 2004 up until today August 13, 2005, God has been dealing with my evil heart of unbelief, self-righteousness, and fear. I do not know how much more correction I need to receive, but I have stayed patiently in the race and never quit. I stated earlier that I am an example to the body of Christ, the way God deals with his servants.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. v.2
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. v.3
You need to be aware that you are going to endure contradiction (a speaking against) of sinners against yourself.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. v.4
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: v.5
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. v.6
If ye endure chastening, God dealth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? v.7
But if ye be without chastisement (instruction), whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. v.8
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? v.9
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. v.10
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. v.11
I will assure you that chastening will be grievous, but if you will endure the chastening it always yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness. When that peace comes you will know that chastening for a time has ended. At this point don't give up, more chastening is coming. We saw in verse 7 that if we endure chastening God dealeth with us as with sons.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; v.12
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." v.13
You need to understand that chastening is for the healing of the soul (will, intellect, and emotions). Habakkuk 2:4 says, "Behold his soul, which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." It was a profound revelation to me that the Lord's soul was not upright in him.
Consider Hebrews 5:6-10, "As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. v.6
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; v.7
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; v.8
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; v.9
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec." v.10
Hebrews 12:14-17 continued.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: v.14
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; v.15
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. v.16
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." v.17
Prayer, "Heavenly Father, I pray for every person you receive, that their hearts will not faint and their faith will not fail. In Jesus name, Amen."
This very day, August 13, 2005, the Lord said to me, "Your sin hath withholden good things from you. (Jeremiah 5:25)." My response was, "What is my sin?" He replied, "An evil heart of unbelief." He began purging my conscience from self-righteousness, fear, and unbelief.
God bless you,
Doyle Davidson
