Articles from Hebrews

There are different elements of prayer such as praise, lament, adoration, and confession. One element that is part of almost any prayer is request. In Habakkuk 3:2b we read Habakkuk’s prayer request, “O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy” (Hab 3:2b, NASB).[1] Let’s look at the different parts of this request together.

            The name of God, “Lord,”is mentioned twice in Habakkuk 3:2 and eleven times in the book of Habakkuk. The NASB translation uses “Lord” in small caps as a translation of YHWH[2] (transliterated as Yahweh).[3] Some people believe it comes from the verb, “to be” in Hebrew. YHWHis called the “Tetragrammaton” (which means four letters) and was the covenant name of God from Exodus 3:14 where God reveals to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” This indicated God’s covenant faithfulness and should evoke confidence.[4]

            Habakkuk’s phrase, “Your work in the midst of the years,” describes a brief time of God’s two acts of judgement.First, God’s purging judgement of Judah. Second, God’s consuming judgement against Babylon. Thus Habakkuk is asking for God to preserve the nation of Judah—the righteous ones—through the seventy years of judgement that God is sending on Judah which Jeremiah predicts (Jer 25:11; 29:10).

            We’ve briefly looked at the name of God Habakkuk uses, the plans of God revealed to Habakkuk, now let’s examine the request Habakkuk has for God. “O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”

            Habakkuk 2:2b reveals a fresh manifestation of God’s power. That word, “wrath,” is translated from the Hebrew word, rogez, which comes from a word which means “to tremble” or “to shake.”[5] It describes a time when foundations will be shaken and God’s people will go into exile. It describes an agitation, excitement, or disturbance.[6]

            Habakkuk 2:2b reveals a full measure of God’s pardon. The Hebrew word for “mercy” is rkhm and comes from a word associated with the womb of a woman. The use of this word indicates the compassion and tenderness which Habakkuk wanted from God.[7] Habakkuk 3:2 reminds us that “God is the God of mercy, so to pray for mercy (even in the day of his wrath) is to plead for that which is central to His character.”[8] Our God can display wrath as well as mercy.

            Habakkuk 3:2a reveals Habakkuk’s confidence in God. Habakkuk might not understand everything, but he believes God’s ways are best even if Habakkuk doesn’t understand them.

            We learn from Habakkuk’s prayer that peace in the midst of God’s plans comes when we accept that God’s methods are best even if we don’t understand them. This is a hard concept for us to accept, but is essentially the message of the entire book of Habakkuk.

            Experiencing peace in the midst of God’s plans only comes when we accept that God’s methods are best even if we don’t understand them. That’s the position we sometimes have to grow into as followers and worshippers of God. We grow in maturity and faith when we learn to accept God’s plans and God’s methods as best for us even if they are painful, inconvenient, or confusing.

            Maybe you retired thinking about enjoying the golden years only to be plagued with health issues. Maybe you went to school thinking you’d have a great career, only to struggle to find work your whole life. Maybe you were excited to get married only to learn your spouse had an addiction he or she didn’t tell you about. Maybe you always enjoyed working but after having kids you weren’t able to return to work and stayed home.

            God’s methods are best even if we don’t understand them. Habakkuk has learned that and I pray that we learn that too.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

[2] YHWH occurs 6,823t in Old Testament. See Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 217–19.

[3] Other names for God based on Hebrew are “God” from Elohim (which is the more universal name for God) and “Lord” from Adonai (which was a divine title for God). The word “Jehovah” in some Bibles consists of the Hebrew consonants from Yahweh combined with the Hebrew vowels from Adonai.

[4] One commentary on Habakkuk 2:2 tells us, “The choice of ‘LORD’ here rather than the more general term for God probably emphasizes the fact that Habakkuk addressed his words to Israel’s covenant God” (Richard D. Patterson, Habakkuk, Cornerstone Biblical Commentary vol. 10[Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2008],427).

[5] Waylon Bailey, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, New American Commentary, vol. 20 (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1999), 356.

[6] O. Palmer Robertson, The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1990), 218.

[7] Ibid.

[8] James Montgomery Boice, The Minor Prophets, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1986), 424.

One of our friends recently lost her husband unexpectedly. She and her husband had retired from their jobs and moved to a new state. They left their family and friends to pursue a new retired life in a new state where they didn’t know anyone. But after ten months she is now a widow and alone in a new town.

            She wonders why God would have moved to her to Colorado to be alone. She wonders if she will be able to continue on. At times she has confessed she feels like she cannot. But she knows that God is with her and she’s said she feels him helping her each and every day.

            The author of Hebrews reminds us, “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21, NASB).[1]

            When the author of Hebrews tells us that God will “equip you in every good thing to do His will,” it reminds us that God gives us what we need to endure life. Through struggling marriages, disobedient children, layoffs from jobs, environmental disasters that damage our property, or when our family members pass away, God equips us to handle it. The word for “equip” here is the Greek word katartisai which was used by trainers to adjust parts of the body, as in “put into proper condition.”

            In other words, God will equip us to handle anything that comes our way. He’ll adjust us so that we can endure what we are going through. Yes, it will feel like we can’t handle it. And we probably couldn’t handle it without God. But God will stick with us through it. He quips us in “every good thing to do His will.” And he is “working in us that which is pleasing in His sight.”

            When we do something that betrays our friend’s trust and we wonder how we will earn his trust back, God will help us do what we need to do. When we make an error at work and it fumbles up a project and costs the company money, God will equip us to make it right. When we lose a family member and don’t know how to go on, God will comfort us and walk with us each step of the way.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Pastor Robert J. Morgan tells a story of how a rich industrialist was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting idly by his boat. The rich industrialist asked the fisherman, “Why aren’t you out there fishing?” The fisherman replied, “Because I’ve caught enough fish for today.” The rich man asked, “Why don’t you catch more fish than you need?” The fisherman replied, “What would I do with them?”

            The rich man then explained, “You could earn more money and buy a better boat, so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase better nets, catch more fish, and make more money. Soon you’d have a fleet of boats and be rich like me.”

            The fisherman looked perplexed, “Then what would I do?” The rich man proudly announced, “You could sit down and enjoy life.” The fisherman smiled, “What do you think I’m doing right now?”[1]

            Most of us—like that industrialist—struggle with contentment in our lives. In Hebrews we’re told “to be content with what you have” (Hebrews 8:5, NASB).[2] It’s hard to be content when we don’t have much, but Hebrews tells us how to be content.

            We can be content because God will never leave us no matter what we are going through, “we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6).

            We can be content because leaders give us a good example to follow about how to be content, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

            We can be content because Jesus never changes and always stays the same. Jesus is content and we should be too, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

            The world’s ways often change. Its winds may blow and try to toss us around, but because of our faith in Christ we are content and stable. Like a deeply rooted tree in solid ground. We may bend and sway, but we do not move. We need nothing because we have everything in Christ Jesus.

            As Paul reminds us in his letter to the Philippians, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need” (Philippians 4:11-12). What’s that secret? “I can do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  

            In every circumstance we need to focus on Christ. He is the secret to helping us endure good times and bad. When we’re rich or poor. When we’re happy or sad. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, including being content.

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[1] Robert J. Morgan, Preacher’s Sourcebook for Creative Sermon Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007), 146.

[2] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

For a short period of time my wife worked two-part time jobs, I had three-part time jobs, and God had blessed us with a toddler in our lives. Due to COVID we weren’t able to place our son in daycare, so we took turns sleeping, working, and watching our son. There were lots of “Hi” then a quick “Bye.” Life was hectic. It became difficult for us to carve out time to spend together as a family.

            While my family was especially busy during that time, life is always busy. It’s easy to get caught up in our everyday life and forget to focus on our Savior Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews reminds us to focus on Christ:

            “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NASB).[1]

            Here are a few practical ways we can run the race and fix our eyes on Jesus.  

            Read his Word. Let’s read his Word every day. Not read a devotional, or listen to a sermon, or read books about the Bible, but read God’s Word directly. It can be as simple as reading one paragraph a day or one chapter a day from the Bible. It helps to use highlighters and colored pens to note what stands out to you, what it means, and how to apply it.

            Gather with his people. Let’s find a way to attend a church service no matter how big or small it might be. Make it a priority to gather with Christ’s people because as Paul said, “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). So when we gather with Christ’s people we are gathering with Christ. When we spend time with other believers we are spending time with Him. In addition to being in a church service on Sundays we can join a small group during the week. That gives us more time to enjoy fellowship with other believers with discussion, studying his Word, and praying for each other. 

            Serve in his church. Another way to focus on Christ is to serve in his church. Because we are all one body (1 Corinthians 12) we all play a part in serving his church. It could be helping with kids in nursery, passing the offering plate, moving chairs for the church services, mowing the church lawn each week, or cleaning the church.

            As we go about our busy lives let’s focus on Christ by reading his Word, gathering with his People, and serving in his church.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

“Religion and faith are just a crutch,” one of my coworkers used to tell me. “Religion and faith are for weak people that can’t handle life on their own.” I was so stunned I didn’t know what to say or how to respond. So I walked away.

            As I have had more time to think about what she said I’ve realized that faith is an essential linchpin of Christianity and it definitely is not for the weak. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines linchpin as “an indispensable person or thing.”[1]

            The author of Hebrews describes the importance of faith for us as believers writing, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1, NASB).[2] An important note here is that faith gives reality and proof of things unseen. The late theologian Charles Ryrie defines faith this way, “Being convinced or giving credence to something or someone, especially to the truth of the Gospel.”[3] Faith treats those unseen things as if they have already been seen. It is more than just hope.

            As you read the Bible you see some of the giants of faith. Abraham left his family, possessions, and everything he knew and went to a land he had never been before. Moses went head-to-head with the Pharoah of Egypt in order to free the Israelites from slavery. David endured fifteen years of persecution from Saul. These people were heroes not because of their great accomplishments, but because of their faith. Because of the way they trusted in God and his promises when it probably didn’t make sense. And because they trusted in his promises they eventually saw God work through their circumstances to fulfill his promises because of their faith in him.

            Faith pleases God. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him”(Hebrews 11:6). But where do we get faith? How can we grow our faith? Warren Wiersbe says, “Faith is not a feeling that we manufacture. It’s a confidence we have that God tells the truth and that truth is in His Word. The people of God who read the Bible daily and meditate on what they read will grow in faith and learn to trust God.”[4]

            My coworker thought faith was for the weak, but it is for the strong. And the more faith in God we have, the stronger we get.

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[1] Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

[2] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

[3] Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1997), 144.

[4] Warren Wiersbe, The Delights and Disciplines of Bible Study (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2018), 95.

Late one Sunday evening I heard a loud hissing sound coming from my garage. As I walked into the garage I saw water pouring from the corner of the ceiling onto the garage floor. The hissing sound became louder as I had entered the garage so I walked outside and saw that a sprinkler valve had broken loose. Water was shooting straight up out of the valve and was contacting the underside of my roof, which happened to be the same location where an air vent was placed to allow for the attic airflow.

            Water was gushing from the sprinkler valve, into my attic, and from the attic into the garage. I frantically tried to turn the water valve off that was on the side of the house, but the water valve didn’t work. So I went to the street water valve and tried to turn it off there. But the valve was rusted and I couldn’t move it. I didn’t know what to do. I was new to the area and had no family that lived nearby.  

            But I had been meeting people at church each Sunday. A regularly attending church member, Sharon, lived several blocks away from me. She was riding her tricycle down my street when she recognized me from church and saw me frantically trying to stop the water damaging my home!

            She called her husband and asked him to come over and help me. He arrived with the biggest pipe wrench and crowbar I had ever seen. He used his tools and the leverage provided by them to turn off the water at the street.

            The lesson I learned is that as a body of believers we can help each other if we meet together. And we are told to participate in community together in Hebrews 10:23–25, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (NASB).[1] By meeting together we are able to “encourage one another and build up one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). And that only happens when we see one another in fellowship.

            Who knows how much damage would have been done to my house if I hadn’t been attending church each Sunday and getting to know people there. It was because of the few Sundays I had been attending church in our new city that I had met Sharon. And because I had been attending church I was given help when I desperately needed it.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

If you’ve lived in extreme cold you know about the difference between single-pane windows and newer double-pane windows. Single-pane windows let a cold draft in that you can feel if you place your hand near the window.

            Technology improved and window companies started making double-pane windows with argon gas between the two sheets of glass. Two pieces of glass with gas between them provide extra insulation to keep cold air out and warm air in. Anyone who has lived in a house with both can testify about the drastic difference between each of them.

            Hebrews 8 reveals that Christ has initiated a new covenant which is better than the old covenant God had made with Israel based on the Law.

            “But now He [Jesus] has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises . . .  When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear” (Hebrews 8:6, 13, NASB).[1]

            The Old Testament Law–which was part of the old covenant–had four purposes. One, it showed the sins of Israel. Two, it showed Israel their need for a savior. Three, it showed them what the savior would look like when he arrived. Four, it showed them how to live differently than all the nations around them.

            We should not be surprised that the author of Hebrews says the New Covenant of Jesus Christ is better than the Old Covenant of the Law. The author of Hebrews told us “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant”(Hebrews 7:22). And that better Covenant is because of our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us and we are saved because of our faith in him.

            But why is the New Covenant better than the Old? The New Covenant is better than the Old because it is based on Christ’s blood which pays for the sins of everyone who believes in Him, “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). We no longer have to offer blood offerings for our sins because Christ has offered his blood on behalf of us. The New Covenant is also better because we are ministers of it and get to participate in it, “He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6, NLT). 

            Anyone who has tried to follow God’s Law will tell you it was tiring. But anyone that has lived under grace, based on Christ’s death for us, will tell you it is liberating. Jesus Christ is the beginning of a better Covenant.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Do you remember incandescent light bulbs? Those ones that use to burn out every few months. Now we have high tech LED light bulbs that literally, if used in the correct conditions, last for decades. In fact, there are some light fixtures where multiple LEDs are built into the fixture and the manufacture provides a guarantee that those won’t burn out.

            The priests in the Old Testament were like those incandescent bulbs: often being replaced. When Aaron died (Numbers 20:28) he was replaced by his son, Eleazar. But later Eleazar died (Joshua 24:33) so his son, Phinehas took over the priesthood. And so the cycle continued for centuries. The Jewish historian Josephus estimates that 83 different high priests officiated Judaism from Aaron to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Antiquities, 20.227).

            But Jesus replaced the Old Testament priest system. He is now our priest forever. Hebrews 7:22–25 tells us, “so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (NASB).[1]

            There are a few important words in this passage we need to notice. Jesus is part of a “better” covenant than was used in the Old Testament. While the Old Testament priests regularly died and were replaced, Jesus continues “forever” and he holds the position of priest “permanently.” He saves us “forever” because we have placed our faith in him for salvation. This means that Christ “always” makes intercession for us.

            But what does it mean for Christ to intercede for us?

            First, Christ atones for our sins and strengthens us in temptation. Hebrews 2:17 says, “He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

            Second, Christ sympathizes with our weaknesses, gives us mercy, and helps us when we need it. Hebrews 4:14–16 says, “We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

            Jesus intercedes for us. He is our intercessor forever.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

I’ve done some horrible things in my life. I’ve lied to cover my reputation when I should have told the truth. I’ve refused to meet with people that felt I had wronged them and wanted to reconcile. I’ve ruined several people’s Father’s Day because of hurtful things I said to them.

            But in spite of all of the terrible things I’ve done, I can still approach God. He will always accept me when I approach His throne. The author of Hebrews tells us we can boldly approach God regardless of what we’ve done.

            Hebrews 4:14 arrives at the main argument of the book: Christ is better. He has said that Christ is better than the prophets (Hebrews 1:1–3), better than the angels (Hebrews 1:4—2:18), better than Moses (Hebrews 3:1–13), and Christ is better than the Levitical order of the priests (Hebrews 4:14—12:3).

            In Hebrews 4:14–16 we learn, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (NASB).[1]

            Like us, Christ was flesh and blood. But unlike us, Christ was without sin (see Hebrews 7:26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5). He never responded wrongly to any temptations he felt. He was perfect and never made a mistake.

            Yet in many ways, Christ was like us. He was flesh and blood like us. He ate and slept like us. He laughed and wept like us. Because of this, when we approach him we find mercy and grace because he knows our troubles and struggles. He knows our temptations and trepidations.

            This is what makes our God so special to us. He is not some Zen-like object of worship that we hope we can attain a level of some day. Instead, we enjoy a relationship with him based on what we have in common.

            At the end of Hebrews 4:16 it says, “let us draw near” to Jesus on his throne of grace. Another way to translate this phrase is “let us keep coming to” or as the paraphrase rendering of the Bible—The Message—puts it, “Let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give.”

            Regardless of what we have done, we can always approach Christ. No matter how we mess up in life nothing can prevent us from approaching God. At his throne we will find mercy and grace in our time of need. He is ready to give it – and we need it.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

There was a saying in our house when I was growing up that my dad, sister, and I often quoted to each other: “Momma always knows.”

            Moms have unparalleled intuition. Whether lying about grades we receive on a test, coming home after curfew, not being honest about who we are spending our time with, pretending to do homework when we are actually playing video games, or finding shortcuts to do our chores, moms always know.

            Like my mom, God’s Word always knows what is going on in our hearts, intentions, and feelings.

            The author of Hebrews tells us, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12-13, NASB).[1]

            How does God’s Word know this? As Christians we believe God superintended authors to compose and record without error the words in the Bible. That inspiration of Scripture has its source in God who is everywhere and knows everything.

            We call this his omniscience. God is all knowing. He knows all actual and possible things, and God is everywhere. We call this God’s omnipresence. He is everywhere and his word extends that omnipresence.

            There are several things we should notice about God’s inspired Word in verse twelve. It is “living and active.” This means it seeks out, is energetic, and it is powerful. It doesn’t wait for us to go to it, instead it seeks us out. God’s Word is also “sharper than any two-edge sword.” You can’t fool God’s Word or lie to it. In that way it is “piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God’s Word goes deep through us and it is quick to discern what is going on in our lives.

            The Greek scholar, AT Robertson, says the picture painted here is of a surgeon who observes what’s going on and instantly knows what to do. The surgeon, like God’s Word, carries a bright and powerful light he uses to illuminate every dark crevice that might need work. And the surgeon carries a sharp knife for the removal of what he sees needs attention.

            In verse thirteen the author says “there is no creature hidden from his sight.” We cannot hide from God’s Word. He concludes saying, “all things are open.” Under God’s microscope the smallest sin, doubt, trouble, or insecurity is revealed. When it says all things are “laid bare” it is using the picture of someone bending back the neck as the surgeon does the operating.  

            Like my momma who always knew what was going on, God’s Word always knows what’s going on with us.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

I get stressed out when my to-do list reaches double digits. But the to-do list for the Israelites in the Old Testament was 613 items! 

            One of those items was the Sabbath. It started where Genesis 2:2 says that God “rested on the seventh day”(NASB).[1] The word in Hebrew is shabat which means to “repose” or “cessation” from exertion.

            The Sabbath was one of 613 laws instituted as a way to help the Hebrew community trust God, to bind the Israelite people together closely, and to keep them separate from the rest of humankind. But we now live in what’s called the “age of grace.” Paul tells us about the grace we receive writing, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). We no longer are bound to the “to-do” list of the 613 laws of the Old Testament.

            We enjoy a constant state of Sabbath rest based on grace. Works are not required for this rest we enjoy. Later in Romans Paul writes, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). We enjoy the free gift of eternal life because of our faith in Christ, not because of our works. Therefore we have rest from works.

            This rest from works is discussed in Hebrews 4:9, 10, “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” These two verses don’t tell us we are supposed to take a Sabbath Day rest (but I do believe that is important for us to do). The author of Hebrews uses the Sabbath as an illustration to explain his big idea of the entire book: Christ is better. Throughout the book the author says that Christ is better than the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-4), better than the angels (Hebrews 1:5-2:18), better than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-4:13), better than the Levitical priests (Hebrews 4:14-10:18), and better than the priest Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1-8:13).

            Just as God ceased from his creative activity on the seventh day (Hebrews 4:4) now believers cease from working for their salvation. This is because believers enter God’s rest through faith. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24).

            We enjoy rest in Christ because our faith in him saves us, not our to-do list.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

A best-selling secular book began with three words: “Life is difficult.” Christians have a difficult life too. Among our many struggles we’re always tempted. Yes, always, but Jesus helps us in those temptations.

            Jesus became flesh like us so e could help us in our temptation and “render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil”(Hebrews 2:14b, NASB).[1] 1 John 3:8 affirms this, “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” The author and proclaimer of death, the Devil, was silenced through Christ’s human life and death.

            When Jesus became like us “He Himself was tempted” (Heb 2:18). Jesus became flesh so that he could be a helper for us. Christ is a “merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God” (Heb 2:17). Christ does not condemn us for our temptation or our struggles. Remember, he’s been through everything we’ve been through. He knows what it is like to struggle with hunger, temptation, and emotions.

            As our high priest Christ “gives help to the descendants of Abraham” (Heb 2:16). That’s you and me! Through our faith in Christ we have spiritually become descendants of Abraham (Galatians 3:7, 29). When it says that Christ gives “help” to us, the writer used the verb, epilambanomai. The verb means to be concerned about, take an interest in, and to help. We should be comforted knowing God is concerned about us. He takes an interest in us, and he helps us.

            The last part of this passage says that because Jesus was tempted, “He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb 2:18). The Greek word used for “come to the aid of” is the verb boetheo. This verb means to render assistance to someone in need or to furnish aid. All of us are in need and we should find comfort knowing that Christ comes to our aid when we need him.

            My dad loves to fish in the ocean. For years he has owned his own boat and would travel miles out into the ocean to find the good fishing spots. But one of his boats had a habit of breaking down often while far away from land. Each time his boat broke down he contacted the Coast Guard asking for help to tow him back to land. Each time the Coast Guard responded, “We receive many calls from broken boats that need a tow. You will need to find a neighboring boat to tow you in. If you become in dire danger and your life is at risk due to extreme weather or if your boat is sinking, we will come get you.” It was discouraging news to hear every time!

            Life is difficult. But unlike the Coast Guard that cannot respond to every request for help, Jesus helps us with every temptation and every struggle.  

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

I grew up in a small town and there wasn’t a lot of things for kids to do. One of the activities my dad signed me up for was karate. He had been going for a few months and enjoyed it because of the good exercise, character building, and peace of mind that he could defend himself.

            My Dad taught me an important lesson while I was in karate: there’s always someone better than you. In karate you might work hard to advance up the levels and earn higher “degrees” of belts (green, orange, black, etc.). However, a core teaching of karate is humility and respect because no matter how good you think you are, there is always someone out there better than you. In other words, there’s always someone else that can hurt you and defeat you.

            But when it comes to Christ, he is the best. There is no one better, more perfect, or more amazing. No one can claim to be God like him. There is no one better than Jesus.

            The author of Hebrews tells us that God “spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways” (Hebrews 1:1, NASB).[1] The “fathers” that he’s talking about here are the revered and respected forefathers of the Israelites of the Old Testament. The “prophets” describe the many parts of Israel’s history such as their laws, institutions, ceremonies, kings, judges, and priests. Bible teacher and author J. Vernon McGee comments on Hebrews 1:1-2, “Christ is superior to all the Old Testament writers, because the revelation is filled up in Him. He fulfills all of the Old Testament, and He Himself gives God’s final word to man.”

            The author continues on saying that Christ is the “heir of all things . . . made the world” and is the “radiance” of God’s “glory and the exact representation of His nature” that He “upholds all things by the word of His power” and that Christ “made purification of sins” (Hebrews 1:2-3).

            Just like I was taught in karate, there is always someone better, and he is Christ!

            The author of Hebrews finishes his opening remarks of his letter saying that Jesus is “much better than the angels” (Hebrews 1:4). The author begins this argument that Jesus is “better than” and continues throughout the rest of the thirteen chapters of this magnificent book. Hebrews describes how Jesus is better than the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-4), the angels (Hebrews 1:5-2:18), Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6), Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1-3), the priests (Hebrews 9:1-10), and the Old Testament legendary saints (Hebrews 11:3-40).

            Like my dad taught me many years ago, there is always someone better. But when it comes to our Christian faith, no one is better than Jesus.

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[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.