Monday 9 April, 2018

17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

These verses are very close to the end of the book of Hebrews. They would no doubt ring in the ears of the listeners. The author reminds the listeners to obey their spiritual leaders and gives a reason for this: it is the responsibility of the leaders to ‘watch over’ the believers. The people in these positions of authority are ‘for’ them and are there to help make sure that they finish the race God has set before them.

Am I listening to the spiritual leaders around me? Am I obeying wise counsel? Am I actioning what I hear or leaving it as something to do later?

God, please help me to hear and obey. Help me to take time to stop and consider what I have been told and to take steps to action it. Thank you for positioning people around me to watch over my faith. Amen.

Written by Bethany Waugh