Lord’s Day, Vol. 8 No. 39
Having Done the Will of God
Hebrews 10:36-37 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Andrew Murray observed well, “The first concern most Christians in trouble is to be delivered from it. However, perhaps this should not be the primary thing. Our one great desire ought to be that we do not fail in knowing and doing the will of God in anything. This is the secret of strength and true character in the Christian life.”
He further highlighted, “When trials come, though, it is beyond human power to think of and do God’s will first. It is indeed something beyond human power but not beyond the power of grace. Is just for this that our Lord Jesus came to earth – to do God’s will. He went to the cross with the prayer to God: “Not my will, but thine, be done.””
Our text tells us that the trying circumstances that the believer is put under require him to exercise patience to continue doing the will of God. The word “patience” means “steadfast endurance, perseverance”. The context is that God’s people are to obey God’s Word as revealed in the Scriptures. The word “patience”or “hupomone” in Greek is placed first in the original text giving us the emphasis in verse 36. And the verb “have” with the noun “need” signifies a continual action. The Christian is to do the will of God always however difficult the circumstance may be to its accomplishment.
There is attached to the accomplishment of God’s will the promise of God’s blessing given contextually in verse 35 “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” Cast not aside your confidence of God’s help in accomplishing His good will.
John Owen said well concerning the context in the preceding exhortation given in verses 32-34 is “what they (the believers) had suffered in and for the profession of the gospel.”
Hebrews 10:32-34. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
John Owen observed well, “That which he exhorts them … is the preservation and continuance of their “confidence”. This “confidence”, was that which engaged them in and carried them through their sufferings; which alone was praiseworthy in them. … Now this was absolutely neither their faith nor profession; but, … it is the fruit and effect of faith, whereby the minds of believers are made prompt, ready, free from all duties of profession, against all difficulties and discouragements.It is a boldness of mind, with freedom from bondage and fear, in the duties of religion towards God and man, from a prevailing persuasion of our acceptance with God therein. In this frame of spirit, by this fruit and effect of faith, these Hebrews were carried cheerfully through all their sufferings for the gospel. And indeed without it, it is impossible that we should undergo any great sufferings unto the glory of God, or our advantage.”
He exhorts us, “For if we are made diffident of our cause by unbelief; if the helps and succours tendered in the gospel and promises thereof be betrayed by fear; if the shame of outward sufferings and scorns do enfeeble the mind; if we have not the evidence of “better things” to lay in the balance against present evils; it is impossible to endure any “great fight of afflictions” in a due manner. Unto all these evil habits of the mind is this “confidence” opposed. This was that grace, that exercised in faith, which once admired in Peter and Johnin Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And there can be no better account given of it, than what is evident in the behaviour of those two apostles in that season. Being in bonds, under the power of their enraged enemies, for preaching the gospel, yet without fear, tergiversation, or hesitation; without at all questioning what would be the issue, and how they would deal with them whom they charged to have murdered the Lord Jesus; with all boldness and plainness of speech they gave account of their faith, and testified of the truth.”
He further explains well the Christian’s confidence, “Wherefore those things that I have mentioned are plainly included in this confidence, as to invincible constancy of mind and boldness in the profession of the gospel, in the face of difficulties, through a trust in God and a valuation of the eternal reward, which are the foundation of it.This frame of the spirit they ought to labour to confirm in themselves, who are or may be called unto sufferings for the gospel.If they are unprepared, they will be shaken and cast down in their stability… He pressed them unto nothing but what was needful for them… They should do the will of God; the other in the way of reward, what they would receive upon their so doing…”
The accomplishing of the Great Commission is never so urgent as it is today. The church is called to be the beacon of light shining for the truth of the gospel. In assembling for worship (v23-25), in witnessing to the world. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:18).
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Let the church realize the lateness of the hour and the duty before us. A time will come when we can labour no more. While He tarries, where there are souls still unsaved that are ordained to eternal life, we have our usefulness for His Name’s sake. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee