April 13th, 2021 – Tuesday Very Early Morning
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” ~Hebrews 6:19-20
“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ~Psalm 46:10
I know that times of tumult have happened since Adam & Eve were kicked out of Eden. I also know that we have technological communication abilities like no other time period before us. Yet, everywhere we look and everyone we talk to all seem to conclude that we are living in an increasingly tumultuous and troubled time unlike any other. Obviously it should come as no surprise to us; we know that things must get worse (actually, worse than they have ever been) before they will get better (better than they have ever been, actually) according to God’s plan. Even so, what a time to be alive! Exciting? Yes, but very troubling and difficult as well.
How do we keep from getting off track, falling to temptation and error, and from collapsing under the pressure and pain? I would propose two important and intertwined thoughts in response: 1. What kind of hope are we clinging to? Hope, in the Biblical sense, is not a wishful desire; no, it is an expectation or confidence in regards to something. If our hope is rooted in something that is shaky or uncertain, our faith is not going to last the trials and temptations. More on that in a minute… 2. The anchor (Christ) in the middle of the storm is secure because God is God and He always will be. He is God and there is no other. He is God, the only Self-Existent One. If He is also our Father through Christ Jesus, what’s our problem?
Hebrews 6 actually serves as both a great encouragement and a major warning to believers. The encouragement is to grow and to persevere because of the hope and security found in knowing Christ; the warning is to not shrink back, grow lax, or to turn away from so great a salvation. This chapter displays the danger of getting side-tracked by the flesh, the world, and the devil, and it reminds us of the great goodness and faithfulness of the God who has called us, rescued us, equipped us, and who is the sure and steadfast anchor of those who trust in Him.
Do you understand that He never changes? He does not change and His character cannot change. He is forever the confidence of those who trust in Him and Jesus is forever the High Priest – the Mediator and Intercessor – of His people. You and I can live in the midst of such turmoil and trouble because Jesus is alive and because He takes us into the very presence of God – He enters within the veil that once separated man from God. We have access to God Himself! The same God who said that He will be exalted in all the earth!
Where is your hope? In who or in what do you place your confidence? I don’t just mean in words, either. Many say their hope is in God and live lives that scream just the opposite. If our true hope is in anything but Him, we will fall to sin and temptation and we will collapse under the pressures of this life. But, if our hope is in the living and true God… There is nothing that can conquer us because nothing can conquer Him! There is no temptation, no pressure, no trial, no nothing that can defy His power and authority over those who are submitted to Him through His Spirit. We may die a horrible physical death or suffer in some painful (in any and every) way, but He will carry us through it as we trust in Him.
Stop! Be still! Look to your hope! Is Jesus dead? Is it possible for Him to be dismissed as High Priest? Is it possible for God to change? No? Then live with that sure and steadfast hope as an anchor for your soul! Don’t be tossed here and there by the temptations and lies, don’t drown in the crashing waves of despair and doubt, and don’t give up the ship. Jesus is alive, He is still our great High Priest, and God cannot lie. Praise the Lord for such confidence and hope!