Promises - Pt. 3

 

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:19-25 ESV).

 

I enjoy lighthouses. They remind me of so much of God’s promise of hope. Our reading today details the specifics of the basis of our hope for the dark times of life. After that listing the writer simply says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (v. 22). If ever there was a time when it felt like the world was at its darkest moment, in the midst of a great storm, this surely is such a time. It is an incredible temptation to fall into hopelessness. The next promise of God is that we are not ever left without hope.

 

The book of Hebrews tells us how Jesus Christ makes possible a loving relationship between the holy God and his unholy people. Jesus has actually become our perfect priest, having made a sacrifice of himself in order that all God’s people might be united with him. In today’s verses the writer turns to talk about our response to God’s gracious love in Christ. If God has done all this for us, we should, and can, live in hope.

 

This hope is unswerving, unshakable hope. As the writer turns to talk about what we should do, it’s clear that unswerving hope is possible only because of the faithfulness of God. It is possible to hope in the promises of God because God keeps his promises. It is possible to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess because God, who promised the things we hope for, is faithful to keep those promises.

 

When you begin to falter in your hope, look for that piercing light of the grace of God at work on your behalf. Recall the great gift of eternal life that awaits every believer. Think of the incredible, eternal life that is waiting on our arrival. The storms are then reduced to a pleasant April shower!