Finding Hope and Strength in Hebrews

By Dean Collins

The author of Hebrews wrote in a time of great struggle for the early church. They were under significant persecution from Rome and certainly many struggled with fear as to what was next for them. While many of the issues and challenges we might face are different than wondering when and if you might face physical harm or death due to our faith, we can find many verses that will help us face our challenges today.

Hebrews 4:14 tells us we have a good reason to have confidence that Jesus will be with us in every storm. He has passed through the heavens. Some of us have sung the chorus of a song that says, “He came from heaven to earth to show us the way, from earth to the cross our debt to pay, from the cross to the grave from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift your name on high.” Hebrews 4 shouts encouragement as we consider Jesus, the Son of God.

So what do we do when facing the storms of life? First, we hold fast to our confession. When we struggle to persevere and stress over all the things that give us great challenge, we can remember what Jesus has done for us and know that he is alive and active even in this moment. Not only is he alive, but he understands our struggles because he faced all the temptations and limitations of being human while he was on the earth.

The second thing we do is confidently draw near to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Sometimes we might hesitate to share something with a friend or family member because we don’t think they will understand our situation because they have no context for it and can’t relate to us. Hebrews tells us that Jesus knows our struggles and our temptations. He wrestled with life on earth just as we do. He understands our weaknesses, our temptations, our tendencies, and our fears. We can go to him with confidence because he knows us and loves us and demonstrated his love through his sacrifice on the cross.

In Hebrews 10, we hear again that we can come to Jesus confidently for these same reasons, but then we are charged with a new idea; we are to stir up one another to love and to good works. One way we do that is by staying active in the community of faith. Verse 25 says it this way: “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” This may be a favorite passage of your church pastor, who hopes that you will be in church on Sunday. But the admonition is more than just showing up at the worship service. We are called to be together in community because in community we give and receive encouragement, and because of this shared life experience, we love better, we give more to those in need, and the world sees the transformation God has made in us.

In 10:35 we get a clear instruction: “Do not throw away your confidence…for you have need of endurance.” The Holy Spirit knows that sometimes we just want to pull back and, even worse, simply quit because life has gotten hard. But Hebrews tells us what Paul told us as well:
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” So hold fast to your good confession, and come with confidence to God in prayer. Do not avoid the community of believers where God has placed you. When we stay in fellowship with Jesus and our family of faith, God is with us and will bring us through even the hardest of times.
 
Father, we come before you confidently because of Jesus. Today we will not be bashful in sharing our needs and our fears. We trust you to be sufficient for all our needs. Thank you for calling us to community, where we can learn, grow, give, and better understand you through each other. Use us today for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Hebrews 4:14-16, 10:19-25, 32-39; Philippians 4:13; John 16:33 ESV

Photo by Ron Smith on Unsplash
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