Hebrews 3 - 1.21.25
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 3:12-14 “See to it brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today”, so that none of you will be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.”
OBSERVATION: The author of this chapter declared to the holy brothers and sisters that Jesus was their apostle and high priest, which meant that Jesus was sent by God to bear witness to what would be spoken by God in the future, and as the great high priest, Jesus became our Sanctifier, and He secured our place in heaven by His sacrificial death on the cross.
APPLICATION: There are so many benefits that come to our life when we believe God, and put our trust in Jesus! Through Jesus, I received forgiveness of my sins, and I gained peace with God. When I invited Jesus to come into my heart, I was granted access to the Father, and I have become a partaker, and I am able to share in all of God’s blessings as a member of His family. And, I have hope for my future of being able to enter into eternal rest with my Heavenly Father when Jesus returns to take me home.
But, for those who harbor unbelief due to the hardness of their heart, they are choosing to miss out on experiencing the joy and peace of knowing God, and the opportunity of entering into eternal rest. It will not be because God doesn’t love them, but because they have rejected Him. We have an example of God’s anger against those who had hardened their hearts and rebelled against Him. It was not a pretty sight! He allowed them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years because of their sinful hearts, and they missed out on what God had planned for them.
PRAYER: God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Jesus! Every day is another opportunity to share Your love with others. Help me to hear Your voice, and obey it. I pray You will reveal the ones You want me to pray for who have hardened their heart against You. I pray You will give me the burning desire to pray for them, and that they will come to know You, and put their hope in Jesus. I pray You will give them a new heart, and the gift of faith to be able to enter in and enjoy the true peace that only You can provide. And to the ones who have drifted, I pray You will make me an encourager to them! I pray You will use me to guide them back to You so that they won’t have to miss out on experiencing the countless benefits of following closely after You.
- Robin Orefice
