Hebrews 12:13
And make straight (level, G3717) paths for your feet, lest that which is lame (limp, cripple, G5560) be turned out of the way: but let it rather be healed. (King James Version; Strong,1992)
The authorship of the book of Hebrews has been in controversy since the earliest of times, but Scofield felt that the Apostle Paul was most likely the author (Scofield, 1917). I agree with Scofield mostly because of Hebrews 13:23.
Paul instructs us to run this race called life, as to win the prize (1Cor.9:24). We are further instructed to lay down every sin and weight that so easily besets us and run with patience (Hebrews 12:1).
In reading Hebrews 12:13, I have always compared my inward brokenness to a broken bone that needs to be promptly reset before it cripples me. It’s hard to run a race when you have a limp.
There is so much Power in this twelfth chapter of Hebrews! We are all going to fall down sometimes (get broken). Sometimes we are even going to suffer the chastisement of God. We are chastised for our own profit because we are not fatherless bastards (Hebrews 12: 8-10). We are God’s children; therefore, we mustn’t faint in our minds (Hebrews, 12:3). We don’t have to approach Mount Sinai to hear from God anymore. We can go directly to Jesus. We can now approach mount Sion and enter into the presence of the living God for ourselves (Hebrews 12:22-24).
We have received the Spirit of God (Holy Ghost)! The kingdom of God that Cannot be shaken lives inside of us! I Want to Get Ahold of That! He has given us the power to run this race acceptably in His Sight (Hebrews 12:28). We have the power inside of us to lift up our hands in praise, and to straighten out our knees when they become paralyzed. I also noticed the instruction to make our path even (get rid life’s clutter), so we are not tripping over things that prevent our healing (Hebrews 12:12-13).
We need to look diligently at our own inner man, and guard against the root of bitterness (poison, G4088, Strong). It is the poison that defiles so many, therefore our treatment of others is vital to our salvation (Hebrews 12:14). The bitterness of one person can affect those around them as well. Sometimes we even get bitter against God in the midst our trials. They complained continually in the wilderness, therefore God was not well pleased and overturned them there (1 Corinthians 1:10:1-11). Because they didn’t wholly follow God their generation did not inherit the promised land (Numbers 14: 22-24).
Hebrews 12: 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
The Lord knows the enemy’s abode, and his going out and coming in, and his rage against us (2Kings 19:27), but “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him”(Isaiah 59:19), Amen.
We do Not have to remain in a state of defeat! On those days when we feel weary in our minds, I pray that the Holy Ghost rises up inside of us and reminds us that the Kingdom of God is alive and well, and that it Cannot be shaken! I pray that we are empowered to Straighten Up, and encouraged to go on, In Jesus Name, Amen.
References
The Bible, Scofield Reference Edition, edited by Cyrus I. Scofield, Oxford University Press, 1917
James Strong, S. L. (1992). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible. World Bible Publishers, Inc.
myheartburnswithinme.com 