Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but".... 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
This passage of scripture reveals to us the fact that Jesus learned obedience through suffering, even though, in His capacity as God, He had not previously been subject to obedience, for He is the Great Lawgiver, and as such is not subject to law as created beings are. However, in order that He might save us from our sins, and debunk the satanic theory that God's law of ten commandments could not be obeyed, Christ voluntarily subjected Himself to obedience, thus setting us the example for all to follow.
But learning obedience through suffering often comes with a price, for we face a determined enemy who will mount very serious challenges to every step of advance we may make towards the kingdom of God, and some of these trials of our faith often bring us to the crossroads of decision, as to whether we will continue to obey and follow God, or whether we will throw in the towel in utter discouragement and frustration.
Every Christian, without exception, is always brought to this point in our experience, and it is usually the case that there may be a repeat, if we have failed in the first instances, as was the case with Abraham and Sarah, who stumbled at the promise of having a child in their old age, and was challenged by satan, as to whether to continue obeying that which they knew to be right.
In their experience, the promises made by God seemed difficult to fulfill, since Sarah had passed the period of menopause for several years, and Abraham too had grown quite old. And so the question at this juncture was whether an alternative method should be employed, so as to overcome the obvious hurdle that they faced, or whether they should remain faithful to the truth and duty they knew, by waiting, and obeying, and waiting. It is at times like these that the devil suggests an alternative strategy to obedience, and because it may seem to us as if the promises of God are on hold indefinitely, the suggestions of the enemy seem to make more logical sense, instead of obeying the word of The Lord by faith. Let's read:
Genesis 17:15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16 And I will bless her"....... "and she shall be a mother of nations".... 17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
Genesis 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? 13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? 14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Sometimes in our Christian experience we also are tempted to "Laugh" because the promises of God may seem to be far-fetched, and the question also comes to us, whether we will learn obedience through suffering, or whether we will take the alternative route, which always as a rule, involves departing from the paths of righteousness. However, it is the will of God that we believe, even unto death, for a faith that cannot be shaken by disappointments and other major hurdles, will stand the test of time and eternity, and will be enabled to surmount any difficulty by believing that with God, nothing shall be impossible.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to cling to our faith in God, because in due time we will reap, if we faint not. Let's read:
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!