One of my favorite songs to sing out loud to the Lord as a love song is “Who Would’ve Thought” by Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Winans. Not only does their good singing make me immediately want to get out of my seat and dance, but the lyrics send me swooning. In the song, McClurkin and Winans reflect on how their current relationship with God has surpassed anything they could’ve hoped for or imagined, belting out with joy, “Who would’ve thought I’d know [God] this way?”
I think this song resonates with me because my initial view of God was Him as a judge keeping a ledger of all my sin. A stuffy old guy with glasses hanging from the end of His nose, judging my every move. However, with time (and a lot of discipleship), this caricature of God was replaced with a better one—Father. I sincerely never thought it was possible to know God this way.
I imagine the Israelites never thought this kind of relationship with God was possible. Their real-life picture of God was Him in a tent, among them but also set apart and only accessible to a select group of people, the Levites. Though God was committed to them, there were limits surrounding their access to Him because of His holiness. They could only come so close, and even then, they needed a mediator and atoning sacrifice. To them, and rightly so, God was primarily the Holy One to be feared and revered with great honor.
But then Christ enters the story. He became the mediator and atoning sacrifice we all need to have direct relational access to God. Access that allows us to not only experience God as a holy judge, but also as a Father.
In today’s reading, the author of Hebrews invites his brothers and sisters, tempted to abandon their new relationship with God through Christ, to reconsider. He’s like, “sure, reverting to Judaism would potentially make your life better, allowing you to get your old job back and freeing you from the constant fear of losing your home or, worse, your lives. But, consider what you would be giving up—knowing God as Father! How can you turn back to your old way of being with God after coming to know Him this way?”
Hardship is a funny thing. It can cause a person to lose all of their sensibilities and reach out for any means of comfort before counting up the cost, forgetting who they are and to whom they belong. It can even cause them to consider giving up the best thing that has ever happened to them.
Been there? When we find ourselves in these moments, considering turning back to old ways for comfort and relief, we need to follow the author’s command and make Jesus the object of our consideration, not our circumstances. Only in considering what He has done for us will we find the strength to persevere. Only in remembering that He has brought us into God’s household as daughters will we not behave as orphans, seeking our own means of deliverance. Only in fixing our eyes on Jesus will we receive the rest that comes with being God’s children under His care.
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69 thoughts on "Faithful As a Son"
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These lines stuck from the study: Hardship can make us consider giving up the best thing we’ve ever had. We need to make Jesus the object of our consideration, not our circumstances.
Amen!
That was my favorite line too Katherine!
Read it again bc it didn’t sink in the first time. So good. I simply haven’t been looking to him. When was the last time I just enjoyed him? Thankful for this reading.
I loved todays reading!
Agree this was a great reminder!!
It is so important we make Jesus the object of our consideration, not our circumstances! I so often get stuck out on this!!
Agree this was a great reminder!!
I loved this. “ make Jesus the object of our consideration, not our circumstances.” !! Amen!
I will fix my eyes on Jesus. He has helped me in the past. He is so much bigger than my problems. Thank you, Jesus.
“…make Jesus the object of our consideration, not our circumstances.” Man, this is so hard for me in all the ways, I tend to just be so reactive to whatever is happening around me at the moment. Thankful that Jesus is patient with me, even when I am not, & thankful for his refining in my life.
When hardships arise I have a tendency to see god as malevolent. But god does not punish, Jesus took the punishment. God only disciplines us. And we suffer the consequences of not acting in alignment with his grace and guidance. When we sin we are choosing the darkness, therefore we are reaping its consequences. When we choose the rightful path with our eyes on Jesus Christ peace and government are eternal.
Oh my goodness. This was extremely helpful and encouraging. The Lord has been undoing a lot of religious harm from my upbringing and the last week or so I have really been struggling wondering if what I was taught growing up was really true and if I was missing it.
This was extremely fitting for me wanting to revert to my old ways. This gave me the push to deal with things in the proper righteous way versus the toxic ways that I would usually fall back on
MARGARET W, I am praying for you.
Remember that He has brought us into Gods household as daughters will we not behave as orphans, seeking our own means of deliverance.
Praying for you Sarah. ❤️
MERCY: “if someone steals from me…I will get it back for the Lord will defend and restore for me.” I cannot thank you enough for these words, for my ex-husband spent years stealing from my inheritance, and I had no idea. But God has delivered me. It still hurts, so I must have some dying left to do, but restoration is already underway. ❤️
HEIDI ANDERS – Romans 11:5 is referring to the Jews. Romans 10:9 Paul declares “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
I can’t help but relate to feeling like God has a hammer in His hand ready to smack me for the wrong choices I make. I know God forgives and He sent His Son for me but there is always that pressing concern in my mind, but what if I’m not enough. Or become enough. Plus in our Romans reading it says that there is a remnant chosen by grace. What if I am not in the end. Even as a seasoned Christian that I am I still struggle with these thoughts. I’m praying that God would help me walk in assurance that I am His.
Praying for you Sarah! Hard times don’t last but tough people do! God is in your corner
@Kelsey welcome to SRT and your new life in Christ. Learn to listen and seek the Holy Spirit for guidance. You will find many here that by reading their reflections you gain insight. ♥️
So hard! Praying for you!
Sorry- Lauren GW- autocorrect!
Lauren GE I hear you! Praying for us both sister.
Wonderful devotional!
My identity is as a daughter of God, the King on high, the Creator of all, the Lord of everything and I know that He has a plan and purpose for me because I live. So every day I strive to trust Him more and more and see His works in my life and know His voice when He speaks to me. I aim to love like Jesus loved because that is the love of God and the way we should all love.
Praying for you Sarah. Sorry, autocorrect
Prayin GB for you Darah
Hardship is a funny thing. I agree. It is a thing God often uses lol. I remember one time in prayer, I had a long conversation with God, asking Him why Lord, why pain, why lingering pain for months and years Lord? He asked me, does it hurt? I said of course Lord, you know how much it hurt me. And He said, it’s not supposed to hurt you, because you’re supposed to be dead. Dead people don’t feel pain, pain shows that you’re still alive. Oh boy. Isn’t God so bluntly honest and truthful? He would not sugar coat. Yes, I am supposed to be dead to the mocking, to the opinions, to my own life or resources, if someone steals from me, it’s not supposed to hurt because I will get it back for the Lord will defend and restore for me. Just simple reminders you know that God shows me, why are you still alive and suffering pain? Die to self, lose your life, you know you will take it back, just like Jesus did. Hardship is a funny thing. Sometimes excruciating. It’s like an X-ray seeing through us. Hardship is like surgeries revealing hidden things. May God give us the grace.
@Lexi B, I am praying for you. You are so talented and I am just thrilled whenever you share your journey. I believe God is challenging you even more now with risk taking, and it’s like stepping out of the boat into the water which you can sink, OR you can get amazed realizing you can walk on the water through His enabling. I read a book recently from an author who also stepped out to be a woman entrepreneur, after 4 years, she made it so big, and her advice was very similar to the Christian concept (some of it), seek guidance from within from the still small voice and surrendering, very interesting to me. She said, If you are a boss, who would you seek guidance and directions? You must learn to listen to the still small voice to go left and right. Just like the verse in Isaiah (and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”- Isaiah 30:21). I personally followed this voice/God’s direction when choosing a dentist, which neighborhood to live, schools to enroll my kids, etc., very practical directions I have sought and have been answered. She said if you want to have a self therapy, run a business and you will learn all things you need to know about yourself, all the uglies, and you will deal with it quick- so daring isn’t it (the book is called How to start your business on your kitchen table-by Shann Nix Jones). Fear not. Just believe. The journey will be your teacher. And of course the Holy Spirit Himself who is the Teacher and Guidance for all your steps.
Jesus is everything.
I want to be faithful in my calling as Jesus was faithful. I pray that I would walk in the identity that God has spoken over me as a daughter of his. I pray that would be my most important identity.
Thank you for praying for us all, it really touched my heart ❤️
I loooved that excerpt from Isaiah in today’s reading! It reminded me of who Jesus is, because I (unfortunately) naturally see God as a policy enforcer, and our relationship happened because of a policy He promised. So the whole thing is a transaction. When in reality that is the farthest from what a relationship with Him actually is ❤️
“Only in remembering that He has brought us into God’s household as daughters will we not behave as orphans, seeking our own means of deliverance” ouch!! That REALLY hit home to me today. By not turning yo our heavenly Father for help on time of struggle we are behaving as if we have no Father. Lots to ponder on there…….
Oooh….this hit hard today. It’s been a really really difficult 2-3 years now. I think initially in the hardship, I was better at reaching towards Jesus. Now, as I grow weary and cynical of the struggle, I still do a few things to turn to Jesus (like this devotional), but I have definitely reached towards other means of comfort more- food, TV, trying to control my routine, my environment, my circumstances. Lord help me to reach to you more!!
Lord as I look around at the world and the struggles going on mine seem so small. But I know to You Lord all are the same and if I ask You will help. I ask You to help me with my upcoming move. I also ask You be with all my She Reads Truth sisters and their struggles, problems, joys and sorrows. In Christ’s name amen.
Sisters, be blessed and reach out to God with your needs.
I needed this today. My spouse told me he is considering leaving due to his lack of motivation in our marriage. Yes in hardship we tend to go to what comforts us, I want to turn to the Great Counselor. He is my source of all joy and strength. The strength I need for our little girl and to recognize my worth in Christ
I needed this today. My spouse told me he is considering leaving due to his lack of motivation in our marriage.
I imagine Him as a powerful love force filling me with a light so bright it cannot be ignored. I find true comfort in my morning meditation with God and know, deep in my heart and soul, He is, and always will be, on my side. All I need to do is show up and participate.
I woke up much earlier than usual this morning… I was tossing and turning in bed for the past hour, thinking about whether to go back to work today or rest one more day just in case. Then I remembered yesterday’s reading, to focus on Jesus. I also remembered my reading from the book Win the Day, which talks about the many references in the Bible to a “day” (e.g. manna lasted only a day, “give us this day our daily bread,” etc.) and to focus on the present. Instead of fighting sleep and my worried thoughts, I got up, prayed and read today’s devotional.
John 3:16-17 hit me differently today… I am so thankful that we are not condemned, but saved by believing in Jesus. I have not been treating myself with that same grace at all.. I have such high standards and had used that often to condemn myself and beat myself up mentally and emotionally. While I’m not a parent yet, I can imagine how sad our Father must feel when we as believers, knowing the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice, hurt and condemn ourselves so often. I know now that holding myself to a high standard doesn’t mean that I need to engage in shaming or condemning myself when I fall short. I also realize that in a way, unintentionally, I was trying to step in and “play the role of God,” if that makes sense. I was trying my own methods of correcting my behavior instead of trusting God to be the Potter; I am just the clay. Lord, please forgive me – help me to let go of these old habits and to focus on You. Praise Jesus for this insight today.
I never want to go back to who I was before Jesus. I want to keep walking with Him all the days of my life. Thank you ladies for your reflections, thoughtful prayers, encouraging words, and wisdom. Your stories are powerful testimonies of hope, faith, and resilience. I love reading through these comments. Surely much better for me than social media. Blessings to you all today.
This stuck out to me from the devotion today: “Hardship is a funny thing. It can cause a person to lose all of their sensibilities and reach out for any means of comfort before counting up the cost, forgetting who they are and to whom they belong. It can even cause them to consider giving up the best thing that has ever happened to them.”
Entrepreunership is hard and man oh man,have I considered returning to work for someone else. God is kind tho, and blocks all my attempts to do so when I get fearful about the future. But I am reminded of the people I meet, the relationships God has brought through this journey and I know that this is where He wants me to be. Instead of worrying about everything, I need to remember turn to God and know with everything in me that He knows my need and I am not alone.
Kelsey, welcome! SRT is an amazing community! I’ve been a part of it from the beginning and it has been a pivotal piece in growing my relationship with God.
Susan, thank you for sharing the letter from the man who was with your son in his final momments. So beautiful. Continued prayers for you and your family.
Dorothy- praying for your move with your sister and that it all goes smoothly.
Happy Wednesday She’s!
Oh BUT GOD! In my 20’s I was not living the best life. I sought God in my 30’s. It was healing. I felt so close to God. Although some of my seeking was painful. To look back on my past behavior was not pretty. Then I was reckless once again. I was in a relationship with someone that had lots of issues. He verbally and physically abused me. I won’t go into the horrible details. But I had cried out to God and this man then abused me worse than he ever had. I went numb. I didn’t talk to God anymore. I didn’t blame Him, I just lost my hope. I then realized that God showed me what this man was capable of and I left. I’m might have stayed because I thought that was the Godly thing to do. To not walk out on someone that was “sick”. But he was not a believer and I could not be his savior. I have always regretted that time in my life. And how could I have brought this person into my son’s life?? Nothing is worth turning from our God. Nothing..
Good morning sweet SRT sisters. I believe that most of us here have faced at one time or another… Hardship. Times when we felt alone and that no one understood us. For many years I had those moments crying out to God to help me and to know what to do. BUT GOD…. I knew I know WHO I belong and belong to. Even though I felt lonely and scared I know that I know I wasn’t alone. I never want to reconsider return back because that was very lonely and scary. And even when I was going through those hard times I know that Jesus was with me. I am stronger now and I never want go back.
Michelle, thank you so much for your words. Thank you to all the She’s who have prayed and shared words of comfort. It really helps. I’m thankful most of all for a faithful Father who is near the broken hearted and gives help and comfort daily. Thank you for being His helpers. As soon as I am able I will share the testimony of Andy turning from the path of destruction to his Jesus.
I loved at the end of the devotional it said “ make Jesus the object of our consideration, not our circumstances. So often I forget what Jesus has done in my life and how faithful he has been instead I focus on my circumstances especially when it is a difficult season. What a great reminder today that God is our father and he restores and redeems.
Welcome Kelsea Terry! Angie thank you for your comment this morning. Blessings sisters this day.
Sisters, what a joy it is to read your reflections on the devotional. Hebrews is one of my favorites and I am so enjoying your wisdom. My sweet little boy is 2 months old and I feel like I’m finally resurfacing, praise God for this precious life whom I’ve prayed for & God has always known would be my son. I am trying hard to cling to prayer and God’s grace in this life transition. It is one I’ve always wanted but boy it is challenging me to sit back and listen to God on who He is changing me to be as a momma. I am so thankful and it’s never been more apparent to me that I must cling to the Truth, the Spirit and to prayer. Christ was faithful as Son over his household and we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast. Praise God. Wish we could all be chatting over breakfast together She’s! I’m so thankful for this community.
Oh my this touched me so tenderly today. Brought tears to my eyes that when I think I am to far on the other side that my Daddy (Abba) sent His only Son to pay the highest price for my sins!! I go back to when He first called me out and remember that I am a child of the King!
Prayers for Lynne in Alabama, Susan and family, all other sisters who have requested prayer. And welcome Kelsea! You are surrounded by love and prayers. ❤️
@Kelsea Terry — welcome to the SRT family– more importantly, God’s family! so glad you are here. <3 I pray God gives you much wisdom in your studies with our community, as well as your own personal studies. If I can share my own advice from being "new" ("reintroduced" is a better way to describe my story) to Jesus a couple years back — is to make sure you are spending time daily with God (prayer and reading the Word). As well as finding a place in a physical body of Christ (church, home church, prayer group, bible study group). Maybe you know these things already but I always feel it on my heart to help those new to Christ get acclimated. God loves you so much and I pray you stay with us!!! :)
@Susan – you have been in my prayers. the letter you posted the other day touched my heart. I witnessed a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago. I got there moments after the man flipped his bike. I parked on the side of the road as I watched people surround him and the ambulance pull up. All I could do was cry out to God and pray. After the scene, I parked and called a woman of prayer and we prayed together. I kept praying for him and his family/friends after that day. I share this to say it is very likely many people you don't even know are praying for your family. I don't even know what happened to that man. I have tried to look it up but couldn't find details. I am thankful God touched this man who wrote the letter about your son. Mission complete – God is kind. May you continue to grieve and feel all you need to. May his wife and children feel the Lord near to you all. Jesus be near. Love to you, Susan.
“Fix your thoughts on Jesus.” Hebrews 3:1 – Oh what a different world it would be if we could all discipline ourselves to do this. Life gets busy and is so full of distractions. We get ourselves into “messes” and then try to get ourselves out. We get anxious, scared and we fret. We forget at times, to look up and look ahead. If we would only fix our thoughts on Jesus – daily, hourly, minute by minute, we would see things in the light of His love. Father God, help me to fix my eyes on Your Son, the apostle and high priest – the One who is always faithful and who is always there to help us when we are being tempted. Amen.
@Kelsea Terry – praise God for your new life in Christ, and welcome to SRT!
Blessings to you all on this beautiful fall day!
Praying for you Lynne from Alabama and Jack, Susan, Victoria E and others. I am struggling with focusing too much on remodeling my home recently. I am grateful that after all these years I can make some improvements but I crave peace at the same time and want to make good decisions, keep God first in every thing I do.
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I cannot know all the secrets of God. But I know Jesus. As I give thought to Him day after day, I come to know Him more. His love permeates my soul. His faithfulness guides my own. As I fix my thoughts on Jesus (Hebrews 3:1), I stop sinking with fear like Peter on the water (Matthew 14:30). As I turn my ears to Him I can hear the heavenly calling. The message is clear. I am saved. I will not perish but have eternal life. Because I hold firmly to confidence and hope in Him (John 3:16-17 & Hebrews 3:6). He is the builder and the sustainer of all things. Every breath I take is a gift. Every step I take in faith brings Him glory. Father God, help me remember this. I ask for Your provision of grace to supply my needs today. Thank You for choosing me to be Yours. Let this truth seal my heart with peace knowing I belong to You. This is the first and best thing I know. Selah. Maranatha. Amen.
Welcome Kelsea! So excited that you’ve decided to follow Jesus! There is no better decision than that ❤️
Hi Shes; I’m back after a long break (I’ve still been reading SRT; just wasn’t using the study books). But they really help me stay consistent in God’s word and the prompts help me interact with what I’m reading. God has been so faithful to me as I look back even in just the gap since I’ve last been here. I graduated from law school about 1.5 years ago. The “working world” has been much better on my mental health than school was. I’ve entered a new season where I no longer put my identity in my work/knowledge. God has helped me slowly tear this down. I’m trying to learn to rest, maybe even to sabbath. This is something God has put on my heart for sometime, along with living simply, though I’ve been resisting. I now feel like I don’t have a clear direction with how God wants me to spend my time — should I continue working full time in my current role? Is there an opportunity to work in ministry, or go part time to spend more time doing direct kingdom work? I feel a bit unfulfilled in my currently job, but I loved the last line of the devotional. I’m choosing to tether myself to God’s goodness, to God as Father, to give my uncertainty and dissatisfaction to Him to hold, then to simply rest in Him and thank Him for Jesus.
Lynne, where in AL are you located? Praying for you, your husband, and your family.
I’m new to this community and to Jesus! I just joined the study book subscription plan and I’m so excited to join in on Advent this year!
I’m so glad I decided to open my Bible and read my devotion this morning. I really needed to hear this. In my struggles with my mental health, I’ve been running to alternate means such as trying to get an extra hour of sleep the last two mornings instead of opening my Bible. I pray to intimately know the rest that comes with being a child under God’s care. I’m very ready for the field hockey season to be over and thankfully it is winding down. I pray I would follow God’s will for my relationship as well. I hope everyone has a blessed day <3
I’m new here and I’m new to Jesus! Just joined the monthly subscription which is perfect time for Advent this year!
Lynne from Alabama, my prayers are with you. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you, but I believe God will take all that you’re going through and use it for His good….somehow, someday….in His time. What a gift to k ow that so many SRT women are standing in the gap for you and praying in your behalf.
Thank you Jesus ❤️
1. Christ is more worthy of glory than Moses.
– Moses established the Passover feast. Christ is the Passover lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
– Moses delivered Israel from Egypt who had enslaved them. Christ delivers all from slavery to sin & fear & death & Satan.
– Moses gave Israel the Law. Christ fulfilled the Law.
– Moses gave the Israelites the Tabernacle. Jesus is the Tabernacle and dwells among us.
– Moses established the priesthood. Jesus is our Great High Priest. Christ made atonement for our sins.
– Moses established the sacrificial system. Christ is the sacrifice that completely paid for our sin once and for all.
– Moses led the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years with many signs and wonders. Christ leads us through this life through the work of the Holy Spirit, His own power within us.
– Moses led the Israelites to the Promised Land, but wasn’t able to go there Himself. Christ is leads us to the Promised Land of Heaven and has gone there before us to prepare a place for us. Christ will come back to take us there Himself.
2. Christ is the Apostle & High Priest of our confession.
– APOSTLE: “A person deputed to execute some important business. Among the Jews, the title was given to officers who were sent into distant provinces, as visitors or commissioners, to see the law observed.” (Webster’s Dictionary, 1828) Jesus was sent from heaven to earth to execute the important business of redeeming God’s people & reconciling them to God. He also taught how we should live as God’s people.
– HIGH PRIEST: As High Priest, Jesus made atonement for God’s people by being the atoning sacrifice Himself.
– OUR CONFESSION: Our confession is the Gospel. We confess that Christ came in the flesh, that He died for our sins, He was buried, He was raised from the dead on the third day, and that He appeared to many people. We confess here and now that Jesus is Lord.
3. Jesus is our Confidence & Hope in which we boast.
– CONFIDENCE: “Absence of fear in speaking boldly; hence, confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, without any connection necessarily with speech.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary) Jesus is our Confidence. Because we trust that Jesus has accomplished the work necessary for our salvation and we know that He is Faithful & True, we can boldly proclaim the confession we have. We do not need to fear any one. If Christ is for us, who can be against us? We are His and nothing can separate us from His love.
– HOPE: “Favorable & confident expectation; joyful & confident expectation of eternal salvation” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon) Jesus is our Hope. He did everything needed to obtain salvation for us. We place our hope and trust that His salvation will be fully accomplished within us. We live our lives confident in the truth that Jesus saved us and that He will continue the good work in us until the day of completion.
The first snow has arrived! I hope to remember where I put the snow shovels, hats, mittens, boots. These items prepare me for what’s sure to come. They give me confidence as we face another winter.
So too with my relationship with the Lord. Previously I had a very superficial understanding of who He is and what He does. I was 25 when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. As my relationship has grown more intimate with Him, I can hardly believe what I once thought. I don’t want to backslide to that way of thinking. But what I did to grow from that lukewarmness to true intimacy is what I don’t want to forget. Just as I need snow shovels and mittens for what is coming, so I need to remember this incredible journey which goes so very deep. The journey with all its ups and downs has prepared me for what lies ahead. I’m grateful for the preparation and I look forward with confidence to a glorious future.
Oh Father God thank you for Jesus.
The last line of the devotion made me think of the story Jon told in the podcast of his daughter learning to ride a bike. Look up! Look forward! Look Ahead! Look to Jesus. That’s my prayer today.
“Christ. . . became the mediator and atoning sacrifice we all need to have direct relational access to God. Access that allows us to not only experience God as a holy judge, but also as a Father.”
Thanks be to God for His provision for us!
VICTORIA E – may the peace of the Lord fill your heart and mind
Amen, Yana Conner!
What beautiful truth to reflect on today..
But Christ was faithful as a Son over His household…
BUT GOD..
Right?
Happy Wednesday beautiful sisters!❤