July 09, 2021: SOAP #4236:  Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 6:16 Men 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 offered to 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 Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.

OBSERVATION: It is customary that when someone has been called as a witness in a court, they lay their hand on a Bible and swear to speak the truth.  It is recognizing that God’s Word is true and promising that their testimony will be as true as God’s Word.  It is confessing that God’s word is the ultimate authority and that we will all answer to Him. 

God desired His word concerning the Jewish nation and Abraham’s descendants come with the highest authority:  the authority of the unchanging plan, and the authority of a sworn statement made by God. 

APPLICATION:  The foundation for my hope is God’s eternal plan and His words of promise.  His plans and His promises come from a Holy God who cannot lie.  They are trustworthy.  As Edward Mote wrote in 1834, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”  God went to great personal sacrifice to give me hope! 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am never without hope.  My hope even reaches through death’s door to find it’s fulfillment in eternity.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!