Highlight:

“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

Hebrews 12:12-13

Explanation:

The author goes back to the race metaphor that he started back in verse 1.  Here he appeals to the runner (the reader, his audience) to discipline themselves.  He asks us to not give up or give in.  He is appealing to self-discipline and self-care so that chastisement does not need to be continued.  When he says “make straight paths for your feet” he is appealing to making a plan for righteous living.  When he says “lest that which is lame be turned out of he way” he is talking about the runner that doesn’t take care of himself through self-discipline.  The consequence is dropping out of the race prematurely.  Instead of doing that, get healed!  What a beautiful verse.

Application:

There is a consequence to not submitting to the Lord’s discipline.  Chastening of the Lord can help us towards the kind of discipline that will sustain us- through HIm- to do what it is he has called us to do.  I would rather choose healing than disability.  

Response:

What behavior or thinking will cause me to “drop out of the race” prematurely?