Persevering obedience of faith in Jesus – this is the race that is set before all believers, wherein we must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for our portion. But alas! We are often held back and dragged down as we run this race by the sin that so easily besets us – that is, the sins to which we are most prone, or by which we are most tempted. This is a most important exhortation; for as long as a person’s darling sin – whatever it may be – remains unsubdued, it will hinder him from running the Christian race. It takes from him every motive for running, and it gives power to every discouragement. Whenever we are weary and feel faint in our minds, or when we encounter temptations to sin; let us remember the example of Jesus, Who suffered greatly in order to save His people from eternal misery. By steadfastly looking to Jesus, our holy affections will be strengthened and our carnal desires will be beat down. Therefore, let us then frequently think upon Him! What are our little trials in comparison with His agonies, or even to our own deservings? What are they in comparison with the sufferings of many others?
We should pray for grace to not faint under our trials. Although our enemies and persecutors may be instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they are actually Divine chastisements – in which, our heavenly Father has His hand and His purposes. We must not make light of afflictions, and be without feeling under them – for they are from the hand of God; and sometimes (but not always) they are His justly-deserved rebukes for sin, which are intended to cause us to return to Him for grace and forgiveness. Let us not despond and sink under trials, nor fret and repine; but rather, let us beseech the Lord for strength to bear them with faith and patience. God may let the people of this world alone in their sins, but He will always lovingly correct sin in His own sons and daughters. In this, He acts as the most righteous Father. Our earthly parents may sometimes err and chasten us in order to gratify their passion rather than to reform our manners. But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor afflicts His children! It is always for our profit. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, and it is imperfect in regard to spiritual things; therefore, it is good for us to submit to the discipline of such a state. But when we come to our perfect home in glory, we shall no longer need chastisement. God’s correction is not condemnation; the chastening may be endured with patience, and it will greatly promote holiness. Let us learn to consider the afflictions brought upon us by the malice of men as corrections that are sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.
A burden of affliction very often causes a Christian’s hands to hang down in weakness, and his knees to grow feeble (verses 12-17). Suffering frequently dispirits and discourages us. But against this, we must pray for grace to strive, so that we may better run our spiritual race. Faith and patience work together to enable believers to follow peace and holiness – just as a man follows his calling constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. But we must always remember that peace and holiness go together; there can be no true peace without real holiness. Where persons fail to have the true grace of God among them, corruption will prevail and break forth. A forsaking of Christ is the fruit that grows forth when we prefer the delights of the flesh over the blessing of God and the heavenly inheritance – as Esau did. However, all who seek the Lord may take comfort in the assurance that His mercy and blessing have never been searched for in vain!
Mount Sinai, the place where the Jewish church and nation was formally established, was a physical mountain; and the Levitical worship system was also very much focused upon outward and earthly things that could be physically experienced. The manifestation of Jehovah’s glory on Sinai’s mountaintop was harsh and forbidding; but the Gospel, on the other hand, is kind and gentle – very much suited to accommodate our weak frame. At Mount Sinai, the Israelites were forbidden to approach the Lord’s presence under pain of death; but under the Gospel, all may come with boldness into God’s presence! Thanks be to God for this privilege and blessing; for even the most holy persons would be forced to despair, if they were judged by the holy law given from Sinai’s summit, without their Savior! The Gospel-Church is called Mount Zion; in this place, believers have clearer views of heaven, and more heavenly temperaments in their souls. All the children of God are heirs in this place, and every one of them has the privileges of the firstborn.
Jesus is the Mediator of this New Covenant between God and man, to bring us together and keep us together. This covenant is made firm by His own blood that is sprinkled upon our consciences, just as the blood of the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament was sprinkled upon the altar and the victim. This blood of Christ speaks on behalf of sinners; it does not plead for vengeance, but for mercy. Therefore, let us see to it that we do not refuse His gracious call, while He so graciously beseeches us to be reconciled with Himself and to receive His everlasting favor? God deals with people gently under the Gospel, in a way of grace; but He will assuredly deal with all despisers of His Gospel in a way of judgment.
The inheritance of believers is secured to them, and all things pertaining to salvation are freely given to them in answer to prayer. Let us seek for grace, then, so that we may serve the Lord with reverence and holy fear.
Lord, we bless Your name that Sinai is no more, where Your glory was forbidding; thank You for making Yourself known to us in the kind and gentle Gospel! Amen.
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