Eagerly Waiting

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Pete

Pull together a group of believers, ask them to brainstorm what marks a Christian, and, I’m guessing, the answers will come flying pretty easily. Born again, forgiven, adopted, disciples, filled with the Spirit. Bought, blessed, and being made like Jesus. Declared righteous, being made righteous. Called holy, becoming holier. People of faith, hope, and love. Graced, gifted, and going to heaven. And the list would continue to build. But I’m wondering how quickly, or how predominantly, would come to mind that we should also be marked by being a people who live in anticipation? And not just waiting complacently for what’s next, but are eagerly waiting.

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.

(Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV)

Jesus is coming again. He will appear a second time. Showing up on this earthly scene just as undeniably as He did the first time–to forever be a fact of history. Showing up, though, in a far grander, far more widespread manner. Not just being born in a small town in a small country having to rely on the testimony of those who were with Him to bear witness of Him. But coming “in the clouds” with such glory that “every eye will see Him” (Rev. 1:7). Coming so undeniably as Creator and King that every knee will bow before Him, “in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Php. 2:10).

The same Christ, whose first coming we remember frequently, will appear a second time, assuredly. Not to deal with the penalty and power of sin, but to save from the very presence of sin. To take His own home. To present His Bride to her Bridegroom.

And if we really believed what we say we believed, then wouldn’t we be marked as a people who are eagerly waiting?

Eagerly awaiting the “revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor. 1:7). Eagerly awaiting the finalization of our adoption as sons and daughters of God, “the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:23-25). Eagerly awaiting “the hope of righteousness” (Gal. 5:5), the physical realization of being justified and declared holy–that is, actually standing in His holy presence. Eagerly awaiting stepping foot in the land of our true citizenship, heaven itself, from where we eagerly await “a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Php. 3:20).

We should be marked as a people who are eagerly waiting. People of expectation. People of anticipation. People who awake each morning, regardless of circumstance of situation, and whisper to ourselves, “Perhaps today!”

Oh, that God would make us such people. That the indwelling Spirit would, today, make tomorrow so real. That we would be so heavenly minded we couldn’t help but be of earthly good.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.

(1John 3:2-3 ESV)

We shall behold Him! We shall be like Him!

I can’t wait. How ’bout you?

Eagerly waiting . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

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A Fish In Water

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Pete

When it’s all you’ve known, you can’t really appreciate how it might be any other way. It’s kind of like trying to explain water to a fish (if you could explain such things to a fish). All they’ve known is water. It’s what they were born into, what they breath, that in which they live. If a fish were able to cognitively process such stuff, you’d still have a pretty hard time explaining to them what it’s like to live on land and breath air. Not many reference points, really. It would be pretty hard for them to get it. Unless of course, you took them out of the water, tossed them onto the beach, and said try living now.

But why, you might ask, is he talking about explaining water to a fish? Did he not get enough sleep last night?

I’ve been reading again in Hebrews 8 this morning and noodling on the wonder of the new covenant.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. For He finds fault with them when He says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant . . . For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

(Hebrews 8:7-12 ESV)

The new covenant is the water to this fish seating in this chair. It’s what I was born again into. It’s all I have ever breathed since being brought into life from death. It’s the only way I’ve known to live as a child of God. Hard for me to really understand being “the people of God” any other way. Pretty hard for me to fully imagine what it was like to try and do life under the old covenant and honestly, I’m so used to being in water, that I almost never think about any other way of doing life, and life to the full.

What was it like to live under, “Obey and be blessed. Disobey and pay the price”? Don’t really know. Like I said, I was born again into the water of the new covenant.

I live and breath a reality dictated by an unconditional promised based on a once for all finished work which is sealed and sustained by an ever present Helper.

A Helper who puts God’s law into my mind, and writes His ways on my heart. All the while, reminding me that I have been adopted as His child forever. That God has purposed to be my God. And I, through no merit of my own, will be His people.

Because of His sovereign determination and His thoroughly, saving deliverance, while I may need instruction in fully understanding how to live in water, I don’t really need anyone to say to me, “Know the water’s Provider.” For because of the Spirit of God in me, I know the God who is Father, Son, and Spirit. Deep, deep within, I know Him, because of this water, this better covenant in which I live and breath.

Make sense?

Sure, I know what it is like to live outside of Christ, but that was in a state “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel,” a stranger to any covenant of promise, “having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). But as long as I have been with God, ever since I’ve no longer been a stranger, it has always been under the new covenant, the better covenant mediated by a better High Priest enacted on better promises (Heb. 8:6). That’s the only way I’ve known life as a child of God.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13 ESV)

In Christ Jesus . . . that’s my water. That’s the spiritual ecosystem this fish swims in. One founded on a better promise, one made possible by a better sacrifice, one perpetuated by a better, and more reliable, active agency, the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Oh, what a salvation!

Let us breath deep of the water of His grace.

Let us keep swimming by the indwelling Power He has provided for His glory.

Amen?

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The True Tent

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Pete

Even in its best days, it was but a shadow. When the cloud descended upon it; when the pillar of fire hovered over it; when the wilderness soil beneath it became holy ground, it was still but a copy of something much, much greater.

This morning I’m chewing on three words in my reading in Hebrews 8. I’m noodling on the implications of the true tent.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a High Priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a Minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

(Hebrews 8:1-2 ESV)

If you’re at all familiar with the book of Hebrews you know that its theme is: “Jesus is Better.” He is the better means by which God speaks in these last days (1:1-3). He is better than the angels (1:4). He is greater than Moses (3:3). What’s more, He is the better High Priest (4:14-15). And, He has become the better sacrifice (2:14-15, 7:27).

And if He is the better, than that which He is the better of is better too. A better salvation (2:3-4). A better rest (4:9-10). Part of a better covenant founded on better promises (8:6). Thus, making way for a better access to a better tabernacle, the true tent.

Thought it was conceived of God, commanded of God, and covered by God, for all the glory associated with the tabernacle in the wilderness, the tent was still “set up” by man. Though meticulously constructed according to God’s detailed instructions, it was still, ultimately, fashioned by man, borne by men from place to place, and assembled and disassembled by men. Thus, as good as it was, it wasn’t the better. Instead, it pointed to something better.

Though it was made with the finest materials this world had to offer, it was but an indicator of something that existed made of that which is out of this world. Though it housed the glory of God, the hem of His presence, it was but a foretaste of a better place where men and women would engage the very person of God Himself. Though it was accessible through the mediation of consecrated priests who could enter occasionally, it was just a whisper of the true tent whose High Priest has been set apart since before the foundation of the world, having a permanent place inside the tent. A place at the right hand of God’s majesty. A Mediator whose place is “in the holy places.”

The true tent–the place not set up by man, where the glory dwells perpetually and not just occasionally, where there ever lives a High Priest interceding on our behalf–is heaven. Unimaginable, unfathomable, heaven. The place where, more than just the presence of God is sensed, the very person of God is encountered (Rev. 4 & 5).

And because that’s where our better High Priest has gone, where He, even now, is preparing a place for us (Jn. 14:2), where He has promised to come and take us to be with Himself (Jn. 14:3), we anticipate one day entering also into the true tent. Something more than just the throne of grace we access by faith today (Heb. 4:16) through the active agency of the Spirit–as mind blowing as that thought is. But one day entering the true holy of holies where we will stand before the very throne upon which God is seated. And there, we shall behold Him.

What will that be like? I really don’t know.  I can only try to imagine the unimaginable.

But one day I will. The shadows and foretastes of what I do know today yielding to the realities of being in the true tent in a not so distant tomorrow.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Better Priest. Better Hope. Better Promise.

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Pete

You can’t blame the Hebrews who had doubts from having doubts. It’s understandable that some might be second guessing themselves. After all, it’s not like they were following popular opinion. Not as if they were staying within the theological camp of the prominent religious thought of the day. Not like they were maintaining status quo and weren’t rocking the boat a bit. So you can’t blame them if, when the going got tough, they thought about going back to the old ways.

How radical it was for those early Jewish believers to believe. While we can look back, today, and see how the dots connect between the Old and New Testaments, in their day there was no New Testament. Instead, they were re-wiring the Old. Making new connections. Connections which God Himself calls mysteries, things previously not revealed but brought to light by the Spirit through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Case in point, my reading today in Hebrews 7. A better priest. A better hope. A better promise.

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? . . . not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this One was made a priest with an oath . . . This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

(Hebrews 7:11-22 ESV)

Never did a priest serve at the altar who was from the tribe of Judah. What’s more, “in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests” (7:13-14). And yet, the claim concerning Jesus was that, not only was He a prophet and a king, but He was a priest as well. Shocking! Unheard of! Some would even say, “Blasphemy.” But not unprecedented.

Enter the order of Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20, Ps. 110:4). A priest not of Aaron. No evidence of parents. No trace of a genealogy. Having “neither beginning of days nor end of life” he was the hidden prototype of the Priest to come, the priest above all priests, the Son of God (Heb. 7:3). A priest on the basis of something more than “bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.” A better priest.

And with that better priest, a better hope. A hope not based on a quid pro quo arrangement–you obey, you live; you sin, you die. A hope not founded in our best efforts, but in the better Priest’s once for all sacrifice. A hope not dependent on our righteousness, but secured through His righteousness–“a High Priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (7:26). A righteousness upon which we are declared righteous. His righteousness credited to our account. A better hope providing a better access into God’s holy presence, by which we can draw near to God.

And while the Levitical priesthood passed the baton from generation to generation according to birth, Jesus was commissioned a priest by oath. While the sons of Aaron received the holy garments from their fathers, Jesus became the holy covering for all according to the express purpose, will, and declaration of the Father–God above all. God who is unchanging. God whose word stands forever. God whose “Yes” is “Amen”. Thus, Jesus is the guarantee of a better promise. An unfailing, bet-your-life-on-it promise.

A better Priest. A better hope. A better promise.

Radical. Inconceivable. A mystery now revealed. Received only by faith. Maintained only by faith, through the abiding testimony of the Spirit. Reason for a better form of worship . . .

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

(Romans 12:1 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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My Story

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Pete

Chewing on some verses in Isaiah this morning.

So much I still don’t really understand of the prophet’s writings. So much to navigate. For example, what day is “in that day”? When is that day? What in the prophetic writing was for that time and what is for a future time? Or, even if that day has already happened, is it still yet to happen? Ugh! My head hurts.

But while I might not have all the dots connected, the patterns are pretty clear. God calls, the people refuse. God persistently warns, the people consistently ignore. God declares, “I will deal with your rebellion”, the people, in effect, respond, “Prove it.”

Also running through the prophet’s writings is the amazing, recurring theme of God’s sovereign determination to not only maintain a remnant but to, one day, win back His people. And so, the way of salvation is repeatedly declared to a people who won’t hear. And the promise of gracious intervention surfaces, again and again–the God of grace determined to do what must be done in order to bring people to their senses and back into relationship with Himself.

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling . . . Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. . . . And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” . . . Then you will defile your carved idols . . . You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”

(Isaiah 30:15, 18a, 20-22 ESV)

I read these verses and I think to myself, “Self, this is your story.”

How many times did I hear the way of salvation but was unwilling? Heard about repentance and returning and kept going my own way? Heard about resting in the finished work of Someone else and yet believed I’d make it based on my best efforts? Heard the Good News but responded, “I’ll do it my way”?

But God waits to be gracious. Patiently leverages opportunities to make Himself known–to exalt Himself–so I might be readied to receive the mercy He wants to show me. It’s His kindness that allows me to taste “the bread of adversity” and drink the “water of affliction” that I might be ready to respond when the Teacher lovingly reveals Himself to me. And having ears to hear–and that, by His gracious work alone–I’m able to detect that still, small voice of His Spirit whispering, “This is the way, walk in it.”

Not, “This is the entire plan for your whole life.” Not, “Here is each step, from now to the end, so that you might know what lies ahead.” Instead, “This is the way.” This is the general direction of the way–the way of the kingdom (Matt. 6:33), as revealed in My word. This is what will enable you to walk in the way–not your might, nor your power, but My Spirit (Zech. 4:6). This is the promise that will ensure you finish your sojourn in the way–that the work I’ve begun in you, I will finish (Php. 1:6). This is why, regardless of circumstance, you can believe the promise, and find the rest, that comes from the way–because of the death, burial, and resurrection, of My Son, your Savior (1Cor. 15:1-4, Rom 8:37-39).

And, in having ears to hear, and eyes to see, and a new heart able to receive, the idols that can so enslave me, the idols that continue to woo me, the idols that refuse to let go of me, by His grace and power, are deemed trash. And, to them I determine to say, “Be gone!”

And, in quietness and trust is my strength.

Yeah.  That’s kinda ‘ my story.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Better Things

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Pete

They were tares. Just weeds. They looked like the same good seed when they were planted with the wheat, but they weren’t wheat. Mixed in, at first, without anyone noticing any difference. But as time passed, and things grew, the difference was clear. In the field there was wheat and, among the wheat, there were weeds. Jesus told the story, He knew it would happen (Mt. 13:24-27). But the audience of the book of Hebrews lived the reality.

In their midst there were people who were “once enlightened” (Heb. 6:4-5). They had tasted something of “the heavenly gift,” had been exposed to the teaching of the sent Savior. They had, to some degree, tried the flavor of the living word. And they had savored a bit of “the power of the ages to come.” All this because they had experienced something of the Spirit’s stirring, as had the others.

And, at first, they seemed to respond with faith. But as time passed, as maturity manifested itself, it was clear that what they demonstrated was not a saving faith. It became evident they were weeds, not wheat.

These opening verses of Hebrews 6 are hard verses, but in light of all that Scripture teaches, I don’t think that those who had “fallen away” could have been true believers. They weren’t the real thing. They may have been similar looking seed, but as time passed, they manifested what they truly were, tares among the wheat–not wheat.

Because, for the true wheat–for those who received the gospel, believed the gospel, and were saved through the gospel–the writer to the Hebrews says, there are better things.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things —  things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(Hebrews 6:9-12 ESV)

Better things — things that belong to salvation. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning as I hover over these opening verses in Hebrews 6.

Those better things aren’t the “falling away” spoken of earlier. For real seed, when it is watered and starts to grow, produces a crop useful to those who cultivate it, not thorns and thistles (6:6-8).

But the better things, the things that accompany salvation are; good works; love for the saints; a diligence fueled by hope; a patient endurance enabled by an enduring faith that what God has promised we will inherit. Those, at least in part, are some of the better things.

And, while it’s true that real seed will produce the real thing, it’s also true that real seed is engaged in becoming the real thing. Pursuing the kingdom. Keeping the faith. It’s what we do because we’re the real thing.

While it is God who gives the increase, we are to plant and water (1Cor. 3:6 KJV). We cultivate. And not just ourselves, but our brothers and sisters as well.

And having been cultivated, we respond. We work. We love. We keep on keepin’ on in the full assurance of hope. And that, as He enables.

So that we might realize the things that belong to salvation — the better things.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Because of His Reverence

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Pete

A phrase in Hebrews this morning caused me to pause. Four words, I believe lifted off the page by the Spirit, which brought a realization. A realization that, if I’m honest with myself, I am probably more comfortable with the deity of Christ than I am with His humanity. That to think in terms of Jesus as fully God resonates more easily than to really think of Him as fully man. That to imagine the limitlessness of His power, majesty, and glory is easier, in a sense, than to truly appreciate the depths of humility He experienced in His incarnation.

The four words that have me chewing on this? Because of His reverence.

In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.

(Hebrews 5:7 ESV)

The writer continues to paint a picture of our great High Priest. One able to “sympathize with our weaknesses”, one who “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin”, thus one who is able “to help those who are being tempted” (Heb. 4:15, 2:18). He is Jesus, the Son of God, “who has passed through the heavens” (4:14). But can I fully comprehend all that His passing through the heavens and coming to earth meant for Him?

That the eternal God, the Alpha and Omega without beginning or end, would even have “days” and function in time and space is somewhat mind-stretching. That He would be compelled to pray–as all mere mortals, at times, are compelled to pray–to get Him through something that reduced Him to “loud cries and tears” is, if you think about it, kind of unfathomable. After all, we’re talking about Someone who “upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3)

But that He was heard because of His reverence?  Really?

That’s why He was heard by Him who was able to raise Him from the grave and thus, save Him from death? Because the King of kings and Lord of lords demonstrated godly fear in the garden? Really? Because of that?

Nothing to do with fact that He is The Word of God?  That when He speaks the armies of heaven fall in line, and that from His mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword (Rev. 19:13-16)? But rather, He was heard because He demonstrated awe-invoked fear? How can that be?

Can I even get what it meant for God to come in flesh? What it really entailed for Him to have “learned obedience through what He suffered” and be “made perfect” so that He might become the “source of eternal life” (Heb. 5:8-9)? I’m thinking not.

Man fully man. Confined in time and space as He experienced what could only be experienced through the days of His flesh. Knowing the need to pray and supplicate and depend on a loving Father to help Him in time of need. The Prince of Peace knowing such inner turmoil and anguish that it drove Him to loud cries and tears. Coming before the heaven He ruled in such veneration that that was the reason His prayers were heard. Heard because of His reverence.

Honestly, more than this mind can really noodle on. Almost too much to try and chew on.

Man of sorrows, what a Name
For the Son of Man who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

O’ what a Savior!

What unfathomable grace.

Glory to His Name!

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Confidence . . . Still!

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Pete

Came across some thoughts from around this time eight years ago. A really, really uncertain and hard time. A turn-your-world-upside-down time.

And as I chew on the same passage eight years later, and consider the confidence I was reminded of then, I realize that there is confidence still.

Re-running those musings this morning . . .

——————————————-

I’m pondering an invitation this morning. Reflecting on the access gifted to me. Chewing on the wonder of a door opened to me. The invitation is to draw near to a throne. The access is to a footstool before a King. The open door leads to an inner chamber of royalty, authority, and power. And, so goes the invitation, I may draw near to such a hallowed place with confidence.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

(Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

It occurs to me that I’ve been hanging out at this place of privilege for most of the past week . . . and so have a lot of other people on my behalf, and on behalf of my wife and family. Within this inner sanctum, upon this holy ground, there is a throne of grace . . . a seat of unmerited favor . . . a dispensing place of God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It is a place where one can receive mercy and find grace when it is needed most. And, so goes the invitation, I can draw near to it with confidence.

Confidently . . . boldly . . . openly . . . plainly. Freedom to speak what’s on my mind . . . no need to conceal or be ambiguous . . . just pouring out what’s on my heart. Not presuming, but prevailing . . . not demanding, but desiring . . . all with assurance that He hears . . . and, as He determines, He dispenses grace to help in time of need.

And, if I put this verse in its context, the confidence isn’t based on who I am . . . or what I’ve done. But the confidence is found in Another. It is based on the fact that “we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (4:14). A High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15). He who died for my sin and was risen again now abides at the right hand of God, alongside the throne, ever living to make intercession for us (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25).

I don’t approach the throne of grace on my own . . . I do so with an Advocate. I don’t have to have it all figured out . . . or have just the right words . . . or have determined what God’s will is . . . or pretend to know what God knows . . . for “the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26). I’ve got a lot of help before the throne of grace . . . and so, I can draw near with confidence.

As I mull it over in my mind, it has a way of impacting my heart. With this confidence there comes a peace. Not because everything is going to work out how I think it should work out, but because I have a faithful and merciful High Priest who goes with me when I rise up from the footstool and get back to doing life. A peace infused through the Spirit of the Living God who resides within me . . . 24/7 . . . my parakletos . . . my Helper . . . my Comforter . . . my ever present Intercessor. A peace that comes from knowing that I am never far from the throne of grace . . . that the door is always open . . . that the footstool is always available . . . my High Priest always on duty.

Praise God for such confidence! Praise God for such amazing grace!

Oh, what a Savior! Amen?

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Rest Beyond Rest

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Pete

Pretty difficult not to pick up what’s being laid down as you read the latter part of Hebrews 3 and the first eleven verses of Hebrews 4.

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (3:8) . . . “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (3:15) . . . “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (4:7).

And how come? Because those who harden their heart, “shall not enter My rest” (3:11) . . . “shall not enter My rest” (4:3) . . . “shall not enter My rest” (4:5).

Kind of difficult not to take note of the cause and effect here.

So, what’s the hardening of the heart spoken of here? What’s the source of whatever disobedience it is that results in missing out on God’s rest?

And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

(Hebrews 3:18-19 ESV)

Unbelief. That’s the culprit! Lack of faith. That’s the robber of rest.

Those who walked away from the bondage of Egypt failed to walk into the blessings of the promised land (4:16-17). Though they had seen the Red Sea parted as they began their journey, they would never reap a harvest from any seeds sown by finishing their journey. Instead they would wander. Walking in circles for the remainder of their lives. Having to depend on God, but never able to rest in God. And that, because they didn’t trust the deliverance of the Deliverer. They had no confidence in the promises of the Promiser. And so, they missed the rest.

And what I am supposed to get from this?

Don’t harden your heart. Don’t surrender to unbelief. Don’t give in to the temptation to not trust.

Instead, believe THERE IS a rest. And, beyond that rest, a better rest.

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.

(Hebrews 4:9-10 ESV)

Faith is the door that allows us to enter a place where the winds are calmed. A reality of repose where striving ceases. That is the rest God provides.

But faith also opens the way to an even greater rest. A Rest 2.0. A place where the work is finished, and so, the promise is sure. A Sabbath rest.

Where not only are external storms calmed, but where inner toil and trouble are dealt with and done. A rest only God can provide because of the work that only God could do. A refuge found only through Him and in Him. A peace that passes understanding only He can provide. Not only bringing me some respite in my situation, but also making it well with my soul despite the circumstance.

There’s rest. And then there’s Rest 2.0   A Sabbath rest.  A rest beyond rest.

Hard for me to put into words. Probably one of those things that’s better felt than tell’t. But a deep rest, nevertheless. A real rest. An all-striving-ceases rest. A restorative rest.  A rest founded on the finished work of God–the work of the cross. A rest that remains for the people of God.

So we keep the faith. We’re careful not to harden our hearts. And we make every effort to enter that rest (4:11).

Because, by faith, we known there is a rest beyond rest.

A Sabbath rest for the people of God.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Brothers and Sisters

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Pete

To be honest, I’d love to think that in some way–if even just a small, small, way–I deserve the designation. To think that somehow I’ve done my part to merit the honor. To think that, at least to some degree, for I know it could never be all my doing, there is something in some of my actions worthy of the privilege. But as I hover over these verses in Hebrews this morning, I know better. And I’m bit overwhelmed by grace.

For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons [and daughters] to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Source. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers [and sisters] . . . (Hebrews 2:10-11 ESV)

Our God is the Creator and the Redeemer. We exist by Him and for Him. And, though we were once far from Him, He has purposed to bring many back to Him. Amazing!

But even more amazing is that He does so by bringing us to glory as sons and daughters. Son and daughters–who could merit such standing?

And to do so, He determined that the Founder of our Salvation should fully make way for such an adoption through His suffering.

The Founder of our Salvation, aka God’s Anointed. The Author of our Redemption, the Lamb of God. The Captain of our Faith, one day to be revealed to all as He is, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. O’ what a Savior!

And, because the Son was sent by the Father, and because we were set apart by the same Father, He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

Basque in that, brothers and sisters. It is one thing for me to refer to you with such familial language, it is an entirely different matter when we are treated as family by the Son of God.

To be but His trophies of redeeming grace would be enough. To be servants in His household would gift us with more access to the Holy One than we could ever imagine. But to be welcomed around the table as kin? Behold, what manner of love! (1Jn. 3:1a KJV)

And He is not ashamed to do so. He is not hesitant to say so. Not because we’re doing our best, but only because heaven gave its best. Not because of our faltering service, but because of His once-for-all, unwavering submission–and that, through undeserved suffering. Not because of any good deeds we have done or could do, but solely because of His finished work on the cross.

Because of who He is and what He has done, He is all in to call us brothers and sisters.

Don’t know how you can chew on that for even a few minutes and not become somewhat overwhelmed with gratitude.

Because of His amazing grace. Only for His all-deserving glory.

Amen?

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