God is Faithful
What are some of the more interesting or outrageous promises you have heard? How confident are you that such promises will be kept? Unfortunately, we live in a world of overpromising and under-delivering. But God always does what He says He will do. No exceptions and no excuses. And God's past faithfulness ensures His future faithfulness. This truth is well illustrated in this week's focal passage—Hebrews 6:17-20; 10:19-23. Even though the Jews walked away from the original covenant made in Sinai, God remained faithful. But the Jews were nervous that because they hadn't been faithful, God wouldn't be faithful either. So He made an oath with them (v. 17). God didn't need to make an oath to ensure He fulfilled His promises. He did it for the Jews. And today, He does it for us through the new covenant—a commitment to reconciliation and intimacy with Him through Jesus.
This coming Sunday, we are going to be reading from the book of Hebrews. The Book of Hebrews addresses an audience made up at least in part of Jewish believers. Perhaps including some of the many priests who had converted to the faith (see Acts 6:7). With time, some of these believers began to struggle with the adequacy of the gospel versus their deep-seated Jewish rituals. The writer of Hebrews sought to exhort, instruct, and reassure these believers in their faith.
In the reading of Hebrews 6:19-20 and 10:19-21, we will see that God is a promise keeper. God has always been a promise keeper, and He still keeps His promises because He does not change. God has promised us eternal life with Him, a promise that was secured for us by the work of Jesus, our Forerunner and High Priest. God's faithfulness to this promise secures our future with Him.
The first half of Hebrews 6:19 is, "We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. Hebrews 6:19" While the anchor metaphor is widely used in antiquity; it occurs only here in the NT. A ship firmly anchored is safe from idle drifting. Its position and safety are sure. So hope is a stabilizing force for the Christian. "Soul" (GK 6034) is a general word that probably means the "life" of a human being. The author is not saying simply that hope secures a person's "spiritual" aspect; he is affirming that hope forms an anchor for the whole of life. Those with a living hope have a steadying anchor in all they do, giving them a solid footing and security.
Now look at the 2nd half of 6:19 - "It (hope) enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19 (HCSB)" And there is something more: hope "enters the inner sanctuary." The imagery takes us back to the tabernacle, with its "curtain" shutting off the Most Holy Place. That little room symbolized the very presence of God, but people were not allowed to enter it. But hope can, says the author. The Christian hope is not exhausted by what it sees of earthly possibilities. It reaches into the very presence of God.
Friends, as we close this series, we have been reminded that God is Holy; nothing compares to God's holiness; it sets Him apart from all of His creation. Second, God is Loving; God's love empowers me to love. Third, God is Forgiving; God always forgives when I truly repent. Fourth, God is wise; God will give me wisdom when I humbly seek it. Lastly, God is Faithful; God's past faithfulness ensures our future is secure.
Friends, the writer of Hebrews, urges readers to hold firmly to the hope they have of eternity with God secured for us in Christ. We are to lay hold of Christ and never let go, even in the slightest. No persecution, real or feared, was to lessen the ardor of these believers for Christ.
As we prepare for our corporate Worship this coming Sunday, ask the Lord to help each of you as you move forward to be reminded daily of Who He is and how He has revealed Himself to us through Scripture.