June 15 – Daily Devotional

31 May June 15 – Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

OVERCOMING SPIRITUAL FATIGUE  

Hebrews 10:32-35 “ Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”

Several times in these devotions I have written that your Christian life journey is not a sprint race but a marathon.  Today’s devotional verses remind me, and I pray, also you of this fact.  When you first came to faith in Jesus your life was changed, new and fresh.  This was especially true if you became a Christian as an adult.  As time passed, you had new responsibilities, challenges to your faith came your way, and due to the burdens of life you became spiritually fatigued.  Perhaps you even began to think, “I didn’t know being a Christian would be like this.”  You thought being a Christian would make your life easier to contend with and it wasn’t.

Most marathon races have what is known as “heart-break hill.”  It is usually quite far into the race and you must face it when your lungs are burning, your muscles cramping from the exertion of the miles you have already run and then before you is a long hill.  How will you make it to the top?   This is the moment in the race when all of your daily training comes to bear.  You have to put your confidence into the fact that your body is capable of getting you to the top and then on to the finish line.

Spiritually, your life is no different.  The author of Hebrews tells you today to look at how God has faithfully been with you to get you through the trials, tribulations, and perhaps even persecutions you have endured up to the moment.  The faith God has given you has kept you connected to Jesus.  He has remained your Good Shepherd to take you safely through each day.  “. . . do not throw away your confidence (your faith); it will be richly rewarded.” (Hebrews 10:35) “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: For we walk by faith, not by sight. . .” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd, be with me every day, but especially lead me safely through the trials and tribulations that come my way.  In Your holy name.  Amen.

I walk in danger all the way.  The thought shall never leave me

That Satan, who has marked his prey, Is plotting to deceive me.

This foe with hidden snares May seize me unawares

If I should fail to watch and pray.  I walk in danger all the way.

I pass through trials all the way, With sin and ills contending;

In patience I must bear each day The cross of God’s own sending.

When in adversity I know not where to flee,

When storms of woe my soul dismay, I pass through trials all the way.

And death pursues me all the way, Nowhere I rest securely;

He comes by night, he comes by day, He takes his pray most surely.

A failing breath, and I in Death’s strong grasp may life

To face eternity today As death pursues me all the way.

I walk with angels all the way, They shield me and befriend me;

All Satan’s po’wr is held at bay When heav’nly hosts attend me;

They are my sure defense, All fear and sorrow, hence!

Unharmed by foes, do what they may, I walk with angels all the way.

I walk with Jesus all the way, His guidance never fails me;

Within His wounds I find a stay When Satan’s pow’r assails me;

And by His footsteps led, My path I safely tread.

No evil leads my soul astray; I walk with Jesus all the way.

My walk is heav’ward all the way; Await, my soul, the morrow,

When God’s good healing shall allay All suff’ring, sin, and sorrow.

Then, worldly pomp, begone! To heav’n I now press on.

For all the world I would not stay; My walk is heav’nward all the way.

(LSB 716)