January 9, 2023 HAVING STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT
Hebrews 6:18-20 “in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. The 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.”
There are three realities that each of us must face: we live without hope; we live with a hope that is based on self and the world around us; or we live with a hope that is rooted in the knowledge of God. The hope that is based on self and/or the world around us is not a steadfast hope. For many, hope is dependent on the circumstances or on their ability to bring about the desired outcome. The hope that is rooted in God is steadfast and is not dependent on the will of man or on circumstances. The acid test for the believer that reveals the source of hope is adverse circumstances, when everything seems to be wrong, when things are not what we desire. Depression and anxiety can be signs that our hope is not coming from our relationship with God. It seems that the more affluent a society or individual is, all too often, hope in God wanes. As believers, it is wise, and it is scriptural, for us to examine ourselves for the purpose of making sure we are spiritually healthy. One reason for evaluating our spiritual health is to determine where our hope lies. A foundational truth regarding hope is that of knowing God according to the scriptures-who He says He is-not who we think He is. Not knowing God according to who He says He is an unsure foundation that will not stand the test and will lead to disappointment. If we are to have a steadfast hope, even in an affluent society, and even in the midst of trying times, we must continually feed on the truth of God’s word, increasing in the knowledge of Him. When we believe that God is who He says He is, when we believe that He is sovereign, when we believe that His plans and purposes will come to pass, and when we know that we belong to Him and are being used by Him, we will have an abiding hope and we will be encouraged because we know that God never fails. This does not imply that we are oblivious to or in denial about the fact that we do encounter trials and difficulties; it does mean that we are confident that God works in and through the difficulties we face. For sure, our soul needs an anchor in the days in which we live. The only sure anchor that holds in the most violent storm is our relationship with Jesus-He is THE anchor; if our anchor is anywhere else, the storms will prevail. We have been given the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the things of God, and as we come to know God and to know who we are in Christ, we will experience the sure and steadfast hope that is rooted in God Himself. Whatever you may be facing, let your hope in God be strong.
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Psalm 147:11 “the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Hebrews 6:18-20 “in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. The 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.”
There are three realities that each of us must face: we live without hope; we live with a hope that is based on self and the world around us; or we live with a hope that is rooted in the knowledge of God. The hope that is based on self and/or the world around us is not a steadfast hope. For many, hope is dependent on the circumstances or on their ability to bring about the desired outcome. The hope that is rooted in God is steadfast and is not dependent on the will of man or on circumstances. The acid test for the believer that reveals the source of hope is adverse circumstances, when everything seems to be wrong, when things are not what we desire. Depression and anxiety can be signs that our hope is not coming from our relationship with God. It seems that the more affluent a society or individual is, all too often, hope in God wanes. As believers, it is wise, and it is scriptural, for us to examine ourselves for the purpose of making sure we are spiritually healthy. One reason for evaluating our spiritual health is to determine where our hope lies. A foundational truth regarding hope is that of knowing God according to the scriptures-who He says He is-not who we think He is. Not knowing God according to who He says He is an unsure foundation that will not stand the test and will lead to disappointment. If we are to have a steadfast hope, even in an affluent society, and even in the midst of trying times, we must continually feed on the truth of God’s word, increasing in the knowledge of Him. When we believe that God is who He says He is, when we believe that He is sovereign, when we believe that His plans and purposes will come to pass, and when we know that we belong to Him and are being used by Him, we will have an abiding hope and we will be encouraged because we know that God never fails. This does not imply that we are oblivious to or in denial about the fact that we do encounter trials and difficulties; it does mean that we are confident that God works in and through the difficulties we face. For sure, our soul needs an anchor in the days in which we live. The only sure anchor that holds in the most violent storm is our relationship with Jesus-He is THE anchor; if our anchor is anywhere else, the storms will prevail. We have been given the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the things of God, and as we come to know God and to know who we are in Christ, we will experience the sure and steadfast hope that is rooted in God Himself. Whatever you may be facing, let your hope in God be strong.
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Psalm 147:11 “the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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