Tag: Hebrews 6:17-20
Our Hope is like an Anchor
Scripture reading for October 21: Hebrews 6
“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:17-20
God is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19) God’s Word is Truth. (John 17:17) What He has said, He will do. God told Jeremiah that He was watching over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) God made the promises of His Word and His guarantee was Who He was. But God also swore by an oath to keep His Word. These two truths are by God’s design to give us strong encouragement and hope. Hope is the expectation of good things promised. When God promises and swears by Himself to bless His people, we simply say ‘amen’ and patiently wait for the promise to be fulfilled.
Biblical ‘hope’ is not a conditional thing like we use the word in our culture. Biblical hope is confidence inspired by faith in the One Who makes the promises. Our confidence is not in our ability to make the promise happen but that God will fulfill His promises fully and completely. The writer of Hebrews likens this ‘hope’ to the anchor of a ship. If the anchor is attached to something strong, the ship will stay where it is anchored. As believers, our anchor of biblical hope is attached to the very throne of God where Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is seated to hear our cries and prayers and answer. He is there on our behalf and is our “Guarantee” by His eternal priesthood of the order of Melchizedek.
Has anyone ever made you a promise that they did not keep? Do you find yourself doubting the promises God has made of forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life adoption into God’s family? Would you say that you have found the hope in Jesus spoken of that is an anchor for your soul?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me biblical hope as an anchor for my soul in these troubling times. Your Word anchors me in truth. I believe Your promises and await my inheritance. I cry out to Jesus Christ, my High Priest when temptations or troubles come threating my peace. Amen!
God’s Word and Oath.
Scripture reading for February 23rd: Leviticus 15-18, Psalm 31, Hebrews 6
Hebrews 6: 17-20 “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Often, in this life, our life foundations are shaken by the various trials and events that befall us. Governments come and go, generations pass away, and our lives are fleeting and often filled with trouble. But those who trust in Jesus Christ and His Holy and unchangeable Word have an anchor for their souls. That anchor is attached to God, Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the Word of God, in human flesh. He is alive from the dead and now has entered into the Holy of Holies in Heaven itself and is our ever-living High Priest. He has spoken God’s Word and sworn by Himself that heaven and earth may pass away but His Word will never pass away! He is able to give us the strong encouragement we need to get us through the trials and uncertainty of this life!
Leviticus 16:32-33 “And the priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his father’s place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments. He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Jesus Christ, Your final Word from heaven and the anchor we need today for our souls in this world of uncertainty. I have strong encouragement and blessed Hope in the One Who holds my times in His hands and will rescue me from all my enemies–including the last enemy, death.
Psalm 31:14-16 “But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your steadfast love!”
Jesus is Lord!
Scripture reading for February 24th: Leviticus 15-18, Psalm 31, Hebrews 6
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 6:17-20 “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
God testified of Jesus “You are My Son,” and “You are a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:5-6) Believers can take refuge in God’s Word and truth. Jesus rose from the dead and entered God’s Presence in Heaven offering His own blood on our behalf as our High Priest. This gives us strong confidence and firm assurance!
Faith Confession and Prayer: Jesus, I trust in You and say “Jesus is my Lord!” Thank You for offering Your blood on my behalf on the Mercy Seat in heaven. Help me to proclaim Your Lordship!
Leviticus 16:15-16 “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people and because of their transgressions and all their sins.”
Psalm 31:14 “But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “Your are my God.”