Thursday | 18 December 2025
When we are deceived, we believe that what we see and understand about ourselves, and our life, is consistent with the word that is being proclaimed to us. This state of deception is evidenced by our lack of repentance and faith in response to the word.
Helpfully, the physical, emotional and spiritual fatigue that we feel when we live according to the flesh reveals our situation. For this reason, Paul exhorted us to examine ourselves and our condition, and to recognise that our weariness and discouragement, particularly in the midst of suffering, is the evidence of God’s judgement in our life. We are being judged in this manner because we have forgotten the exhortation that addresses us as sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ Heb 12:5‑6.
Through the ministry of His word, the Lord comes to meet the weary in order to recover them to ‘rest’. In this regard, we recall the invitation of Jesus, who said, ‘Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden [that is, are ‘weary’], and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’ Mat 11:28‑30.
Jesus speaks these words to us as the Shepherd and Overseer of our soul. 1Pe 2:25. He is the Overseer of a royal priesthood, and the Overseer of His house, ‘whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end’. Heb 3:6. As the great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus calls each of us by name. Joh 10:2‑5. We are led by the Shepherd as we turn from self‑definition and, instead, respond in faith obedience to the word of our name.
Further Study:
Hebrews 12
References:
Heb 12:5-6
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’
Mat 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
1Pe 2:25
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Heb 3:6
But Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Joh 10:2-5
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.