“Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you greatly and multiply your descendants abundantly.” And so by persevering, Abraham inherited the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and the oath serves as a confirmation to end all dispute. In the same way God wanted to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise that his purpose was unchangeable, and so he intervened with an oath, so that we who have found refuge in him may find strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us through two unchangeable things, since it is impossible for God to lie. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain, where Jesus our forerunner entered on our behalf, since he became a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:13-20 NET
I am profoundly grateful that God chose a people for Himself
through the lineage of Abraham. This deliberate choice stands as a powerful
affirmation of His undeniable promises. These promises, are manifested through
the steadfast faith of those who believed in Him, not only inspire hope, but
also offer reassurance to all future generations of believers. God's assurance
to richly bless and multiply those who believe speaks volumes about the
transformative power of faith. This choice marked God's reintroduction to the
world after the disastrous fall in Eden, empowering us to have unwavering trust
in His divine promises through relationship in Him.
Through his unwavering perseverance, Abraham was able to
inherit a remarkable promise. But what exactly was this promise? The book of
Hebrews reveals that Abraham was never truly settled in a city like Haran, the one
he left behind. He chose to live in tents throughout the remainder of his life
because he yearned for something greater—a heavenly land, a city crafted by God
Himself. This illustrates a profound faith: Which is why God is not ashamed to
be called the God of believers, for He has lovingly prepared a glorious city
for them
For centuries, people have turned to a higher power to
affirm their integrity, and taking an oath is a significant commitment that
helps resolve conflicts decisively. This solemn ceremony is commonly performed
in courtrooms across the country, where witnesses and defendants place their
right hand on the Bible, pledging to tell the truth. By doing so, they hold
themselves to a higher standard. An oath represents more than just words; it
embodies a sacred promise witnessed by God, emphasizing the seriousness of
one’s testimony and the societal value of honesty. Since God cannot swear by
anything higher than Himself, it is inherently impossible for God to lie.
God intended to reveal His unwavering purpose to the heirs
of the promise in a profound way. To emphasize this, He swore that He would
complete it, and He also took an oath—a solemn commitment that reflects His
immutable nature. This assurance provides those of us who seek refuge in Him
with powerful encouragement. Furthermore, the certainty that God cannot lie
solidifies our trust in His truth and the hopeful future that lies ahead.
The hope we embrace is resolute, serving as a powerful anchor for our souls. God's promises endure forever and never waver. Even when we falter, He remains faithful in His commitments. The steadfast nature of God—who is unchanging yesterday, today, and always—illuminates our path, offering us a genuine and inspiring beacon of hope.
Consider the profound significance of Abraham residing in a tent for the remainder of his life, paralleled by the temple's long tenure in a tent. It is a type and shadow of what the Journey of faith is like. We are like sojourners (or temporary residents) in this world until we arrive at our heavenly home which has been prepared for us.
Even Solomon’s
magnificent temple, once completed, was a dazzling sight, adorned with
exquisite tapestries and radiant gold inlays, evoking a sense of the divine. At
its heart lay the Holy of Holies, a sacred space shrouded in reverence,
separated by a thick curtain that only the High Priest could enter once a
year. This solemn occasion required him to first undergo cleansing and sacrifices,
underscoring the profound respect for the divine presence and the seriousness
of sacrifice.
The writer of Hebrews powerfully highlights that God's
promises serve as a firm anchor for our souls, extending beyond the curtain of
the Holy of Holies into the very presence of God. In this sacred space, Jesus,
our forerunner, has entered on our behalf and established Himself as a high
priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. This profound assurance solidifies our faith and hope which inspires us with the conviction that
Jesus, as our forerunner, has truly paved the way for our journey.
Even with the atrocities committed by the Roman Emperor Nero threatening the lives of the early Christians far and wide throughout the Roman Empire, there remains, even to this day, a confident belief that cannot be shaken. We must understand that God has promised a better place for us who believe in Him beyond this physical existence. And that He loves us and has made us His own people.
I am reminded of the old Hymn:
‘In the Garden’ by C.
Austin Miles.
(1) I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
[Refrain]:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
(2) He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. [Refrain]
(3) I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho' the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling. [Refrain]
Stephen Barnett
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