Two days ago I was happily basking in the spring sun  with an old friend, a successful business man, busy for the Lord, at the terrace of a restaurant nearby.  I told him of my recent trip to France, and he gave me encouraging words of advice and made me feel good.  How I enjoyed his graciousness and generosity.  He made my day.

Already the next day, however, i.e. yesterday, I was met with unexpected and unjust hostility from a different corner.  I wrung my heart and soul full of grief.  I was also tempted to bitterness feeling very sorry for myself. I couldn´t sleep, but then I was reminded of a word hit home by The Holy Spirit, I believe.  The word was:

“Consider Him who endured such hostility…”  Hebr. 12:3.

Or as  my old “Amplified Bible” puts it, “…such grievous opposition and bitter hostility…”  The application or lesson was obvious.  Do I want to be a follower of Jesus in that way, enduring something with Him? 

At the Bible conference in France I´d been intrigued by the “Hebrews” anew and decided to go on with studies in that epistle with our home group.  Indeed, since I came home, I´ve been “basking” in its teaching and enjoyed the glories of Christ and His work set forth there.

Now the joyful teaching suddenly concludes in the above brief word of exhortation.  Did that make me feel good?  No, but still it´s for my good.  From your own experience, brother and sister, I´m sure you know what I´m talking about.  The “Hebrews” has now become even more precious.  It´s frequent “Let us” is really the Holy Spirits whispering to us, “Let´s do it together!” 

April 18, 2013 – jn