Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Hebrews Challenge Chapter Four

Hebrews 4:1-16

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." (Hebrews 4:13)

This verse is in a passage that is talking about sin/disobedience. My deepest secrets, shame and darkness, are uncovered by His light...every time. That is why the warnings to 'pay careful attention' are so important. Don't get stuck in something less than God's plans and purposes for your life. Or as Andy Stanley puts it in talking about Jacob and Esau from Genesis, "Don't trade your future for a bowl of stew."

But, that verse caught me in a different way too...not only are my sins and secrets unsurprising to God...but everything about me is unsurprising.

My ambitions.

My idols.

My love.

My strength.

My weakness.

My joys.

My mutated gene and my wife's mutated gene, identically matched.

As shocked as we were to hear this diagnosis, God wasn't the least bit befuddled. He wasn't sitting in the Heavens leaning over to Jesus at His right hand saying, "Hmm, that's shocking" or "Oops."

He is, was and always has been aware of Shaina and I's freaky genes getting together and making an absolutely adorable freaky gene kid.

And because Jesus has made a way as our high priest, we get this closing verse that tells us that we have hope.

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Pray this verse for us and for you today.

3 comments:

Wood said...

I chuckled at "oops". I got two things out of this today, first, REST. I think Paul is speaking about eternal rest, but I also think there is a "rest" that those who truly believe, who cling and keep a firm grip on His promises, get from Him. If we believe He is in control, allow Him to be Him and do His work, while we fufill OUR purpose, we get a kind of rest, a "peaceful, easy feeling" (my 70s roots start to emerge)that we dont have to have all the answers, because He does.

Love the way the message closes this passage " So lets walk right up to Him, and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." Amen

Unknown said...

I have been in awe, from the beginning, of the plan God had laid out for Chaia with the mutated gene coming from the two of you, and giving her to you at the time he did. He is so sovereign. And in awe of how He is using you for his glory in this specific way.

It too took away the word "rest" from this passage. The peace of knowing my salvation is secure and I will persevere to the end and see Him face to face.

Mama Karen said...

Ben that verse was for me as well today. Thank you for challenging us to dig more into God's word and finding something to apply to our lives daily. Praying continually!