Friday 5 Dec 2008

Friday Reading: Hebrews 6:11-20

Key Verse: Hebrews 6:18
18  so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us,

Devotion:
Have you ever thought about the degrees of hope that we have? There are the times when we hope for something but we are absolutely sure that we will get it, but we still hope. Then there are the times when we are almost sure that we will not get it, but we still hope for it, just in case... Our hope in each of those circumstances is at a different level. In these verses we are reminded that our hope in Jesus Christ is more sure than in anything else; and yet so many choose to treat it as a hope that is without warrant, a hope that they will never get to see.

When we are sure of something, we go out and do things working towards our hope. That serves not only to strengthen our hope, but also to work towards a better future when our hope is realised. The more that we hang around and think about whether our hope is valid or not, the more we will get discouraged and the more that we work against our hope. With these thoughts in mind, we need to make sure that all that we do works towards our hope in Jesus Christ. He is the one that has based our hope on the immutable. He is the one that has based our Hope on Himself, knowing that He cannot lie and knowing that He will forever be. If our hope is based on such a sure thing, then why do we question it?

If we are patient and consistent in our hope towards Christ, we will see our hope in Him grow in strength quicker than we can imagine. If we continue on in the same eagerness, we will be sure of a just reward in heaven. We are the ones that give in to things and think that our hope may wither at times; Christ already knows that He has based it on 100% reliability. Christ has already endured for us so that we may obtain our hope. Let us go forward and endure things in our lives knowing that our hope is based on nothing less than absolute surety!

Points to Ponder:
Are there things you are hoping for?
 
How much are you depending on Christ’s surety?