What did the apostle advise the readers to do in view of their situation? What can we learn from Hebrews for our own benefit? Let us analyze how God helped Elijah recover from his discouragement.
Read 1 Kings 19:5-18. What did God do to restore the faith of Elijah, His servant?
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
The story of God’s dealings with Elijah after Carmel is fascinating because it shows the tender care and wisdom with which God ministers to those who are under distress and who struggle to regain faith. God did several things for Elijah. First, He cared for his physical needs. He provided food and let him rest. Then, in the cave, He kindly reproved him — “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (NKJV) — and helped him gain a deeper understanding of how He works and fulfills His purposes. God was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in a still small voice. Then, God gave Elijah a work to do and reassured him.
Read Hebrews 2:1, Hebrews 3:12-14, Hebrews 5:11-6:3, and Hebrews 10:19-25. What did Paul suggest that believers should do?
Throughout Hebrews we can find several instructions that the apostle gave the readers to help them recover their original strength and faith. One aspect that Paul emphasizes is to take care of the physical needs of their fellow believers. He suggests that they should practice hospitality and visit those in prison, which implied providing for their needs. The apostle exhorts the readers to be generous, remembering that God will not abandon them (Hebrews 13:1-6). Paul also reproved them and encouraged them. He warned them not to gradually “drift away” (Hebrews 2:1, ESV) and not to have “an evil heart of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:12), and he encouraged them to grow in their understanding of the faith (Hebrews 5:11-6:3). He also remarked about the importance of consistent attendance at church meetings (Hebrews 10:25). In summary, he suggested that they press together, encourage one another, and stir up love and good works, but he also lifted up Jesus and His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary in their behalf (Hebrews 8:1-2; Hebrews 12:1-4).
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