Friday, December 2, 2011

Hebrews Challenge Chapter 10

Hebrews 10:1-39

Unswerving.

Not a word that gets a lot of use in our day to day.

Shaina uses that word in her prayers whenever I'm driving.

verse 23. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

I don't know if it is our situation with Chaia in the hospital or what, but the word 'Hope' grabs me.

Where our hope is found determines who we will become.

I don't hold unswervingly to hope that the doctors will make Chaia well.

I don't hold unswervingly to hope that Chaia will be healed.

The hope I hold onto is in the better way of Jesus. That the cross, the symbol of ultimate defeat and agony was redeemed to become the symbol of rescue, forgiveness, life and joy. And that the one who pulled off that miracle is more than able, more than enough and is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Our hope is steadfastly, squarely on Jesus.

Because there's nothing better.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

2 comments:

Joanne Sadlon said...

I've been busy writing a cute parody on 12 Days of Christmas for our Ladies Tea at church this Sunday, based on a book called the 12 Blessings of Christmas. I was stumped trying to use the word and idea of the blessing of HOPE in the parody, and I finally worked it in as "on the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me-Hope 'cuz I was hopeless". My song is silly, but the message is clear: we are nothing without hope, and nothing without Jesus. What a gift to one who is hopeless!

I loved the pictures of Chaia in the wagon, and of Shaina pulling her down the hallway. It made me think symbolically of Mommy and Chaia escaping from the hospital, going home for Christmas, and all of us being set free from a hopeless life by the redeeming acts of our Savior!

Anonymous said...

I really appreciate verse 22, "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Wow, when I am cleansed by the blood of Christ, I am absolutely CLEAN!! And free from a guity conscience! What freedom I have in my Savior's love and favor. I am SO THANKFUL.

I'm also reminded in verse 24 & 25 that we need to encourage each other regularly and be faithful to meet together for encouragement. Many christians choose to worship from home, but I experience the power, purpose, and hope of Jesus when I go to church or small group study. This I desperately need, especially at this time.

I hold unswervingly to the hope I have in Christ. Hallelujah!