Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Hebrews 12:9

Brethren,
Welcome to August, the ending of one season and transitioning phase into a new season. Many of us are passing through different phases of testing’s, trials, and divine dealings in preparation for the next phase. Whichever side you fall you might hopefully find something useful from my morning study notes on Heb 12:9.

Preparation for Abundant Life: The Place of Thy Rod & Staff

One key reason Jesus said He came is that I might have life & have it abundantly. John 10:10

Question 1:
What does abundant life really mean and involve? Christian teachings seem to vary widely on what it actually means..is it solely spiritual? solely physical or a combination of both? . Is it cumulative? or instant?

Whatever it means, it seems to be a free-will offer Christ’s makes for all to decide on individually, and it begins with accepting Jesus not just as savior but as our Lord. In fact the bible seems to infer in many verses that true ‘LIFE’ or true ‘LIVING” itself is a choice and we get to choose! Ref: Jeremiah 21:8 Deut 30:19

From the Hebrews 12:9 verse, it is emphatically clear that:-
Subjection (free will submission) to GOD = Abundant Life

Combining Hebrews 12:9 and Psalm 23:4 it would become apparent that it may be impossible to experience this abundant life without the ministrations of the shepherd’s rod and staff.

If the abundant life Jesus spoke of is a journey then it would seem right that we are kept on this ‘highway’ Isaiah 35:8 through the continuous ministrations of thy Rod (discipline) and thy Staff (guidance). Just like any long distance road travel He brings us to “Rest Stops” at different stages of our lives where He ministers rest [elements of the abundant life] to us.

However if the abundant life is a final destination (life of rest) that we are being led to as part of God’s eventual destination, then it can also be inferred that the ministrations of “thy rod & thy staff” are compulsory pre-requisites for preparation for entering into the abundant life..
[e.g. Joseph. Psalm 105:19 until the time his prediction came true, as the word of the LORD refined him].

Its very interesting that in Psalm 23:3-4, Immediately after the rod and the staff ministration comes the table and ministration of abundant life [ “thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over“].

Question 2:
The word “preparest” in psalm 23:5 also means “set-in-order”.
So ultimately which is it?

  • Does God set us in order [spirit, soul, body sanctification 1 Thes 5:23] even as He is setting things in order for us to enjoy? OR
  • Does God have to set us in order first [finished work] before we are able to receive the abundant life He has already prepared?

Depending on the state of our yieldedness and obedience at any point in time, we get treatment from either the rod or the staff. But whatever our experiences we can be rest assured of the fact that GOD’s intentions are ALWAYS meant to do us good and bring us to His expected end Jer 29:11

3 Points of Consolation for Us

1. The dealings of the rod for the moment are undeniably bitter, yet we can draw solace from the assurance that it confirms our Sonship! Which is a priceless thing in of itself. We are not bastards. Heb 12:6

2. Soon as His dealings are done, Then comes the Table, the Oil and the Overflowing cup. Weeping endures for the night, but the morning is guaranteed to come!. Hallelujah! We need not faint or be too discouraged under His rebuke Heb 12:5, Just behind Him the table is prepared!

3. The very presence of enemies (some of whom He may have used as a rod in His dealings), ALSO means that one of the key elements of my victory is already made available. God doesn’t need to go far to look for enemies to be observers at my prepared table: they are already on stand-by 🙂

Finally
Abundant life is actually a combination of the two positions.
It has been reserved for us in eternity and we are being prepared for it though we cannot fully enjoy and grasp it whilst we are still in this mortal body. Yet Christ has laid down a path to give us ever increasing foretaste of that abundant life at different stages of our maturity walk with Him.

p.s
Christ’s first preference in His dealings with His flock is the staff, But the rod becomes necessary from time to time because of our flesh!
The more we die to flesh, it stands that the less rod we are likely to receive.

p.p.s
The Question still stands: What is the nature of abundant life as you understand it? You can leave your insights in the comments below.

Grace, Peace, and Love be multiplied to us all. |Amen.