Tag: John 17:17
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!
A God of His Word
Scripture reading for April 11: 2 Kings 9-12
My father was a man who was true to his word. As I was growing up, he would buy and sell cattle worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over the phone. He would call the banker and tell him how much he needed put into his bank account as a loan. They would do it and he would always go in later and sign the note. It is a badge of honor to be a man of your word. This trait is honorable because God is also true to His Word!
2 Kings 9:1-3 “Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. And when you arrive, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. And go in and have him rise from among his fellows, and lead him into an inner chamber. Then take the flask of oil and pour it over his head and say, “Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.” Then open the door and flee; do not linger.”
The prophet Elisha sent a word with one of the members of the company of prophets. He was to anoint Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat to be king over Israel. He was also to give Jehu a mission of destroying the house of Ahab and Jezebel for their murderous and adulterous behavior. (2nd Kings 9:6-10) He told Jehu that dogs would devour Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel that she had stolen from Naboth and that no one would bury her. Jehu went to Jezreel, found Jezebel and had her killed. As he rested, dogs came and ate up her body, as God had decreed. (2nd Kings 9:34-37)
Jehu went after the remaining sons of Ahab in Samaria. He came to Samaria and killed all who were left of Ahab’s family. This was according to the Word of the Lord spoken to Elijah the prophet. (1st Kings 21:20-22) This word was given several years earlier but God’s Word remains true! God’s Word is the only source of ultimate truth. (John 17:17) God is faithful to watch over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35)
Are you known as a person of your word? If you are not, would you ask God for forgiveness and help to become more like Him? He has promised us that if we ask in faith, we will receive!