GAINING AND RETAINING STRENGTH. Hebrews 12:12-13 The discipline of God is not only apparent in correcting our behavior but also in bringing out the potential He knows is in each of His children. He knows what we are capable of and challenges us with the demands of a coach who pushes us to our limits and ultimately to victory. Disciplined lives are important so we can accomplish what God has for us by following Christ and drawing on His power. The word “therefore” indicates the importance of our example and our responsibility to others, not just our own survival as a Christian witness.
Our whole being needs to be focused on Jesus and the faith that inspires us to follow Him on the path of righteousness, endurance, and testing. Using our hands in ways that give evidence of the grace of God in us enables us to lift up the limp hands and weak knees of others. Our Lord’s lips were full of gracious words, His hands reached out in grace to those in need, and the strength of His knees tells us of the value of prayer and communion with our Father in this walk of faith.
Hands that “hang down” are not serving hands; “weak knees” do not walk by faith joyfully. One who is “lame” (limping) cannot persevere for long and is in danger of permanent liability. Those who look to Jesus are given the responsibility to encourage and come alongside those who have lost their courage, vision, commitment, and the blessings that those who walk in the light have.
Strength and skill grow when we run the race before us with patience, wisdom, and common sense that God provides. Those who are weak and lame may not stumble if they follow the straight paths we lead them on. They, too, will gain strength and skill as they travel the peaceful path of divine guidance.
We are challenged to use the disciplined strength God has given us, not just for our spiritual survival, but to provide an example for others to believe and follow our Lord. The tendency is to leave out the weak ones and run after the strong ones. We have a responsibility to assist others so they are not confused or misled when trying to adapt to what the enemy designed to trip them up and injure them. A "lame" person will not be able to run the race until that lameness is healed. The
Lord can bless us in ministry as well as in receiving the ministry of others. Some Hebrews had lost everything. The charge was to help them.