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 Hebrews 10  - Confident Hope

God calls us to his good work.  As our LORD God commissions us, his workers and messengers, he gives us a realistic assessment of the tough tasks ahead.  We will face hardships, threats, rebels and rioters, and opposition from those with hard hearts and stubborn resolve.  And that’s just inside the church.

The odds do not matter.  Do not be dismayed.  Whether people accept the message of God our job is to be brave - to fearlessly deliver on the task God calls us to do today.  Do not fear.  God provides.

Hebrews 10 encourages us and strengthens our resolve.  We are reminded that Jesus, our great High Priest, rules over God’s house (10:21).  Christ is King.  That is what matters.  Jesus reigns and rules and He alone judges.

        In this passage (v. 26-31), we hear the penalty in Moses' time for anyone who refused to obey Moses’ laws.  And that penalty is held up against the standard of our Holy God as light punishment compared to the penalty coming to those who trample on the Son of God and treat the blood of the covenant as common and unholy and who disdain and insult the Holy Spirit (v. 29).  Wow.  Sobering.

Hold tightly without wavering.  Know that with God we are secure.  Be filled with great joy.  We are resolved because our confident hope is in our Creator.  We are commanded to increase our faith and to have confident hope.  And we are warned not to throw our hope away (10:35).  Yes, faith can be thrown away.

This life is good and rich and meaningful because of God and the mercy that the Holy Spirit brings us.  But better things are waiting for us that will last forever.  Our trust in Jesus brings us forgiveness right now.  We are saved from our sin, yet we are saved unto eternity.  God’s grace covers us - His blood sprinkles over our guilty consciences and washes us with pure, Holy Water.  You are clean before God because of the Cross of Christ.  But always remember what we are saved to, God's promise of eternity.  Run to win.  The prize is worth it.

Many will not remain faithful to God.  They will not suffer; they care not about God’s commission and sell out for mere scraps rather than face the scowling enemy with Christian resolve.  Many will not be persecuted or deprived of anything.  Fat cat Christians.

Yet I pray and know that many have suffered indeed.  Loss and death and pain and sorrow and persecution.  There are godly battles and our loving Father tasks His children to fight well.  Just as Edmund, Lucy, Susan, and Peter found out, Aslan equips us to fight.  And He fights alongside us.  No matter the odds.  His power is higher than anything the White Witch conjures.

We are reminded that God’s enemies will be subject to terrible judgment and raging fire.  We wish such judgment on no person and we know that God wills all men and women to be saved and to trust in Him (1 Timothy 2:4).

Lord Jesus may we not deliberately sin.  Help us to grow in your Grace and to understand the truth of your promises.

Lord Jesus, thank you for Ezekiel, all the prophets, and all the saints who have gone before us.  Please give all your children patient endurance - help us to persevere with joy and peace today as we wait on you and as we do your will.  Amen.


Colt, Jack, and Arch (our grandsons) - Spring 2024.


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