This week, we were called to worship through Hebrews 1 and reminded of Christ’s perfect sovereignty as the creator and upholder of the universe. Take a moment to meditate on these verses and consider God’s faithfulness to us in creation, in the midst of our rebellion, through the gift of grace in redemption, and in his promise of restoration.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews promises that all things are moving toward Jesus. Even, and maybe especially, in times of uncertainty, we can be comforted and encouraged by God’s steadfast love for us as his people. Are there things in your own life that feel unsure or uncertain? How does Scripture push you to engage with that uncertainty?
Pray: Gracious God, your faithfulness is evident from generation to generation. You are moving all things toward Jesus. Remind us of your promises to your people. Holy Spirit, help us to cast our fears on Jesus, knowing that you are working restoration into us and your world.
The book of Hebrews demonstrates for us the connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament. We can look back to the Old Testament knowing that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of a redeemer. Hebrews 11 and 12 reminds us that Jesus is the author of our faith, that we place our trust in a faithful and steadfast God.
11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Faith is a gift, something outside of ourselves. Through faith we have assurance in the promises we receive and are convicted of truths about things not seen. We also know that faith always has an object, Jesus.
11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
Faith operates by looking backward and looking forward. Abraham and Sarah obeyed by faith, looking backward at the faithfulness of God towards their family and towards his people and looking forward toward the promise of redemption and restoration.
Consider God’s faithfulness in your own life and community. Take a moment to thank God for what he has done through Jesus. Name some of the promises found in Scripture that you can be assured of by faith.
What’s true for Abraham, Sarah, and those who have witnessed God’s faithfulness in all times and places is also true for us. We not only look back to what God has already done but also look forward to the day when all will be restored. In our day to day, we can rest in the fact that God is at work. In times of uncertainty, in times of testing, the Holy Spirit is working obedience into our lives.
Pray: Jesus, you have promised to restore brokenness and bring peace to our world. This week, help us to rest in the assurance of your work in our lives and in the world. Give us a posture of grace, humility, and obedience to you.
As we look forward to the coming week, read over the following verses from Philemon. Pray that Jesus would be glorified through the reading and preaching of his Word and that hearts would be opened to receive the truths of the Gospel.
1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.