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"Blockade Runner Pilot: 'What is it that they've sent us?' Princess Leia: 'Hope.'”
Saturday, 22 July 2017
Hebrews 6:11 However, we want each one of you to keep showing the same diligence right up to the end, when your hope will be realized; 12 so that you will not become sluggish, but will be imitators of those who by their trust and patience are receiving what has been promised.
13 For when God made his promise to Avraham, he swore an oath to do what he had promised; and since there was no one greater than himself for him to swear by, he swore by himself[Hebrews 6:13 Genesis 22:16] 14 and said,
“I will certainly bless you,
and I will certainly give you many descendants”;[Hebrews 6:14 Genesis 22:17]
15 and so, after waiting patiently, Avraham saw the promise fulfilled. 16 Now people swear oaths by someone greater than themselves, and confirmation by an oath puts an end to all dispute. 17 Therefore, when God wanted to demonstrate still more convincingly the unchangeable character of his intentions to those who were to receive what he had promised, he added an oath to the promise; 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in neither of which God could lie, we, who have fled to take a firm hold on the hope set before us, would be strongly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as a sure and safe anchor for ourselves, a hope that goes right on through to what is inside the parokhet, 20 where a forerunner has entered on our behalf, namely, Yeshua, who has become a cohen gadol forever, to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.[Hebrews 6:20 Psalm 110:4]
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13 For when God made his promise to Avraham, he swore an oath to do what he had promised; and since there was no one greater than himself for him to swear by, he swore by himself[Hebrews 6:13 Genesis 22:16] 14 and said,
“I will certainly bless you,
and I will certainly give you many descendants”;[Hebrews 6:14 Genesis 22:17]
15 and so, after waiting patiently, Avraham saw the promise fulfilled. 16 Now people swear oaths by someone greater than themselves, and confirmation by an oath puts an end to all dispute. 17 Therefore, when God wanted to demonstrate still more convincingly the unchangeable character of his intentions to those who were to receive what he had promised, he added an oath to the promise; 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in neither of which God could lie, we, who have fled to take a firm hold on the hope set before us, would be strongly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as a sure and safe anchor for ourselves, a hope that goes right on through to what is inside the parokhet, 20 where a forerunner has entered on our behalf, namely, Yeshua, who has become a cohen gadol forever, to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.[Hebrews 6:20 Psalm 110:4]
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In Rogue One, retrieving the Death Star plans, and transmitting them to rebel headquarters cost Jyn and Cassian their lives. It was a high price indeed, but it gave the rebels hope. Jesus' apparent defeat in fact defeated evil, and gave all of God’s people an eternal hope. The writer of Hebrews knew we don’t become deeply committed followers of God by chance. The letter called its readers (including us) to make sure we grasp that hope and weave it into our way of life. Eugene Peterson rendered verse 11 in The Message as “I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish.”
• The Hebrews understood the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) in their sanctuary, and then the Temple, as the place where God’s presence dwelt. A heavy, ornate curtain covered the entrance, and only the High Priest could enter there, once a year, on the Day of Atonement. The letter to the Hebrews said that Jesus had gone into God’s presence for us, that our hope is the true High Priest who is in God’s presence continually, not just once a year. That is the hope we must make sure until the end, the hope we must grasp and hold fast. What are the things you pursue most intensely right now? How can you translate, and even magnify, that intensity and focus into your spiritual life?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, forgive me for the times when I am apathetic to your presence in my life. Teach me to hear your voice more clearly, and to have a gritty, engaged will to grasp your gift of hope. Amen.
Family Activity: Gather your family into the darkest space of your home. (A closet or a dark bathroom would be good options.) Bring a Bible and a very small reading light with you. When you are all together, ask someone to read Luke 10:17-20[Luke 10:17 The seventy came back jubilant. “Lord,” they said, “with your power, even the demons submit to us!” 18 Yeshua said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Remember, I have given you authority; so you can trample down snakes and scorpions, indeed, all the Enemy’s forces; and you will remain completely unharmed. 20 Nevertheless, don’t be glad that the spirits submit to you; be glad that your names have been recorded in heaven.”]. Describe how just as life can be dark at times, so are our hearts, lives and the world without the light of Jesus. In an age-appropriate way, discuss some of the evil in the world and how sad it makes us, and God. Then share how, as we follow Jesus, His light lives within us and gives us hope. He wants us to share it with the world! Open the door of the room, celebrate and be thankful for the light of Jesus together! Commit to sharing the light and hope of Jesus with all people.
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Penny Ellwood
Rev. Penny Ellwood is the Campus Pastor at Resurrection Blue Springs.
When our kids were growing up we owned a boat that we loved to take down to the lake on weekends and holidays. One of our favorite things to do was to anchor the boat close to the shore, out of the boat traffic, then swim in the water. We’d pick a spot and throw out the anchor so we wouldn’t have to worry about floating into the rocks and once it was secure we’d float for hours. We’d have the best conversations with our children and friends while bobbing in the water, trusting the anchor would hold us safe.
The purpose of an anchor is to hold your position wherever you are, regardless of the situation. It is a means of support, security and stability. In larger boats, on more precarious waters an anchor can make the difference between life and death during a storm. Anchoring a boat is a lot like anchoring our lives. Anchors are important as we face the many storms that come our way in life.
Hebrews 6:19 illustrates hope using the symbol of an anchor. Like an anchor holding a ship securely, our hope in Christ guarantees our safety. And the rougher the weather, the more important is the immovability of the anchor for the safety of the boat.
We tend to think of hope in terms of a cheery optimism: “I hope the Royals win the Series.” “I hope tomorrow is a better day.” What we hope for may or may not come to pass. The hope of believers, however, is more than a desire or wish. It’s an unshakeable confidence in God--even when circumstances give us every reason to doubt. Hope is an essential part of our faith.
Abraham is given as an example of a man who trusted God against all odds and found God faithful. Though there were storms in his life, he waited on God and “hoping against hope he believed,” until God fulfilled his promise to make him “the father of many nations” (Romans 4:18). In Hebrews 6:20, the author names Jesus as our high priest. He is our anchor in heaven, the certain hope of salvation that God has provided in Christ. When the storms of life come, we take hold of this anchor and we remember that God, who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him over for us all, has promised to bring us through every possible difficulty (Romans 8:35). It's so easy to place our hope in the wrong things. It's so easy to place our hope in this material world--what we can see, taste, touch, and feel. These things are controllable to us. But the things of this world do not provide a firm foundation for our lives in which we might place our hope (Colossians 2:8). Only in Christ Jesus will we find an anchor strong enough to hold, to give us hope for this life and the next.
Penny EllwoodRev. Penny Ellwood is the Campus Pastor at Resurrection Blue Springs.
When our kids were growing up we owned a boat that we loved to take down to the lake on weekends and holidays. One of our favorite things to do was to anchor the boat close to the shore, out of the boat traffic, then swim in the water. We’d pick a spot and throw out the anchor so we wouldn’t have to worry about floating into the rocks and once it was secure we’d float for hours. We’d have the best conversations with our children and friends while bobbing in the water, trusting the anchor would hold us safe.
The purpose of an anchor is to hold your position wherever you are, regardless of the situation. It is a means of support, security and stability. In larger boats, on more precarious waters an anchor can make the difference between life and death during a storm. Anchoring a boat is a lot like anchoring our lives. Anchors are important as we face the many storms that come our way in life.
Hebrews 6:19 illustrates hope using the symbol of an anchor. Like an anchor holding a ship securely, our hope in Christ guarantees our safety. And the rougher the weather, the more important is the immovability of the anchor for the safety of the boat.
We tend to think of hope in terms of a cheery optimism: “I hope the Royals win the Series.” “I hope tomorrow is a better day.” What we hope for may or may not come to pass. The hope of believers, however, is more than a desire or wish. It’s an unshakeable confidence in God--even when circumstances give us every reason to doubt. Hope is an essential part of our faith.
Abraham is given as an example of a man who trusted God against all odds and found God faithful. Though there were storms in his life, he waited on God and “hoping against hope he believed,” until God fulfilled his promise to make him “the father of many nations” (Romans 4:18). In Hebrews 6:20, the author names Jesus as our high priest. He is our anchor in heaven, the certain hope of salvation that God has provided in Christ. When the storms of life come, we take hold of this anchor and we remember that God, who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him over for us all, has promised to bring us through every possible difficulty (Romans 8:35). It's so easy to place our hope in the wrong things. It's so easy to place our hope in this material world--what we can see, taste, touch, and feel. These things are controllable to us. But the things of this world do not provide a firm foundation for our lives in which we might place our hope (Colossians 2:8). Only in Christ Jesus will we find an anchor strong enough to hold, to give us hope for this life and the next.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Gail Boyce and family on the death of her husband Dale Boyce, 7/10 • George Melling and family on the death of his uncle Charles Melling, 7/10
• Jeanne Lillig-Patterson and family on the death of her husband Neal Patterson, 7/9
• Jim Mohr and Penny Hardesty Mohr on the death of their son Connor Mohr, 7/8
• Ellie Mohr on the death of her brother Connor Mohr, 7/8
• John Alholm and family on the death of his wife Janet Alholm, 7/7
• Gloria Carolus and family on the death of her husband Paul Carolus, 7/6
• John Jennings and family on the death of his brother Mark Jennings, 7/3
• Ria Howell and family on the death of her grandmother Louise Monaco, 6/24
• Tracy and Ria Howell and family on the death of their close family friend Maddie Moorman, 6/24
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When the world falls apart
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Or download this week's printable GPS.
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Like this post? Share it!
You might also like
When the world falls apart
A God who never ignores us
Focusing on unseen, but enduring, realities
Depression, sadness, suffering, panic—but “wait for the Lord”
Morning light even amid awful destruction
Or download this week's printable GPS.
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