A Community That Endures – Hebrews 10:32-39
Nov 22, 2025 2
[32] But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, [33] sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. [34] For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. [35] Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. [37] For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; [38] but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” [39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (ESV)
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Remember Your First Love
The writer to the Hebrews knows his readers are tired. They’re weary. They’ve been through hard times, and the temptation to give up is real.
So he reminds them in verse 32, “Recall the former days.”
Remember when you first trusted Jesus? Remember the joy? The confidence? The willingness to suffer for his name?
When they became Christians, they immediately “endured a hard struggle with sufferings.” They were publicly shamed. They stood with others who were persecuted. They had their property confiscated.
And you know what? They accepted it joyfully, which seems crazy!
Why? Because they knew they had “a better possession and an abiding one.” (verse 34).
That’s hope. That’s perspective. That’s knowing that what you have in Jesus is worth more than anything this world can take from you.
The writer is saying, “You’ve done this before. You’ve endured. You’ve persevered. Don’t stop now.”
Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence
Verse 35 says, “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.”
Throw away. That’s strong language. It implies you still have it. You’re still holding it. But you’re tempted to toss it aside.
Don’t.
Your confidence isn’t in yourself. It’s in Jesus. It’s in what he’s done. It’s in the finished work of the cross, the empty tomb, and the open way into God’s presence.
And that confidence has a great reward. Not just now, but forever. Eternal life. Resurrection hope. A new creation. Everything God has promised.
And then in verse 36, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
The Christian life is a marathon. You need endurance. You need to keep going. And when you cross the finish line, you’ll receive everything God has promised.
Live by Faith, Not by Sight
Verse 38 quotes Habakkuk: “My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
Live by faith. That’s the call. Not by sight. Not by feelings. Not by circumstances. By faith.
Faith that trusts God’s promises even when life is hard. Faith that holds fast even when you can’t see the end. Faith that says, “Jesus is coming back, and everything will be made new.”
And the opposite? Shrinking back. Giving up. Turning away.
But verse 39 says, “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”
The writer is confident. He’s saying, “I know you. You’re not quitters. You’re believers. You’re going to make it.”
The Good News Is…
The good news is that you have better and lasting possessions in Jesus. Nothing this world takes from you can compare to what you have in him.
So don’t throw away your confidence. Don’t shrink back. Keep enduring. Keep living by faith.
Jesus is coming back. The wait won’t be long. And when he returns, every promise will be fulfilled.
Hold on. Keep going. The finish line is glorious.
Reflection
What are you tempted to throw away right now? What’s making you want to shrink back? Remember what you have in Jesus. Remember the better and lasting possessions. And hold fast to your confidence in him.
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