Sinking Spell
June 18
We were laughing the other day about how foreign some phrases we older folks use are to the younger generation. My husband came in from work and said I was A sight for sore eyes and yesterday I heard him ask someone what the distance was from their home to another place as the crow flies. This morning I chuckled as I thought to myself...."I am having a sinking spell".
When sinking spells in life arise we could use the encouragement of a crowd to spur us on. History may not reveal the author or authors of the book of Hebrews but there is a lot of meat in the message on which to meditate. There are many Old Testament references in this book. It actually reads like a sequel to the book of Leviticus, which may be helpful to know as some passages about priestly systems, covenants, sacrifices, feasts, etc. can be unfamiliar.
Let's camp out in chapter 12 and first decipher to whom "a great cloud of witnesses" would be referring. One reference describes them as "the roll call of the faithful just given in Hebrews 11". You know, all those mighty giants of the faith who have gone before us. Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Rahab, Moses, Samuel, David, Paul,etc. Now add your own modern day saints...faithful grandmothers, pastors, missionaries, your Sunday school teachers and prayer partners who have passed away.
OK, now that we have them in our minds, let's picture a stadium...pick your sport. Football, soccer, baseball, marathons. All these Christians, who have walked the walk, persevered through persecution, and lifted their voices on high, are sitting in the stadium of heaven. Whew! Imagine how enormous that place would have to be.
What are they doing there? They are cheering us on to cross the finish line!
Hebrews 12:1-3 should have us shouting as well.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Lord, lift us up! You are seated above all things and You go before all things. There is no pulling the wool over your eyes Father, You see it all. When we turn our eyes upon You, surmountable sinking spells cease and our Spirits are revived! We can be cool as a cucumber knowing we are in Your loving care and that You will make our path straight! In Jesus' name, Amen
We were laughing the other day about how foreign some phrases we older folks use are to the younger generation. My husband came in from work and said I was A sight for sore eyes and yesterday I heard him ask someone what the distance was from their home to another place as the crow flies. This morning I chuckled as I thought to myself...."I am having a sinking spell".
When sinking spells in life arise we could use the encouragement of a crowd to spur us on. History may not reveal the author or authors of the book of Hebrews but there is a lot of meat in the message on which to meditate. There are many Old Testament references in this book. It actually reads like a sequel to the book of Leviticus, which may be helpful to know as some passages about priestly systems, covenants, sacrifices, feasts, etc. can be unfamiliar.
Let's camp out in chapter 12 and first decipher to whom "a great cloud of witnesses" would be referring. One reference describes them as "the roll call of the faithful just given in Hebrews 11". You know, all those mighty giants of the faith who have gone before us. Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Rahab, Moses, Samuel, David, Paul,etc. Now add your own modern day saints...faithful grandmothers, pastors, missionaries, your Sunday school teachers and prayer partners who have passed away.
OK, now that we have them in our minds, let's picture a stadium...pick your sport. Football, soccer, baseball, marathons. All these Christians, who have walked the walk, persevered through persecution, and lifted their voices on high, are sitting in the stadium of heaven. Whew! Imagine how enormous that place would have to be.
What are they doing there? They are cheering us on to cross the finish line!
Hebrews 12:1-3 should have us shouting as well.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Lord, lift us up! You are seated above all things and You go before all things. There is no pulling the wool over your eyes Father, You see it all. When we turn our eyes upon You, surmountable sinking spells cease and our Spirits are revived! We can be cool as a cucumber knowing we are in Your loving care and that You will make our path straight! In Jesus' name, Amen
