Sunday 11 March, 2018

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[a] 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. 16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Wow, what an incredible passage of scripture to reflect on. I read of the certainty we can have in God being true to His word. His word to bless us, and multiply us, His children, throughout the earth. God wanted us to be so certain of His word that He has taken an oath.  It is not very often that I take oaths. Sure, I make promises – to finish the work, to do the washing, to cook dinner. But I don’t make these into oaths! An oath is serious and significant, lifting the bar to its highest place of personal guarantee. And this is exactly how God treats His word guaranteeing it by oath!

This gives me great hope, and strong confidence, when it comes to God’s plan and intention for me, and for us, His church. This passage calls me to hope, and hold onto hope, no matter what my circumstances look like, or the churches circumstances look like, today. God has made an oath to us that He is building the church, blessing us and multiplying us, no matter what!

Thank you Lord for your word, your word that fills me with hope today. Help me hold fast to this hope that you give through your word, such that I will continue on living boldly for you and see you fulfill your promise to bless and build your church today! Amen.

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh