The Confidence of Hope

Christian Commitment
in Today's World

Hebrews 3:1-6 (The Message)

The Centerpiece of All We Believe

 ^1-6So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. Moses was also faithful, but Jesus gets far more honor. A builder is more valuable than a building any day. Every house has a builder, but the Builder behind them all is God. Moses did a good job in God's house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come. Christ as Son is in charge of the house.  ^6-11Now, if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence, we're the house! That's why the Holy Spirit says,

   Today, please listen;
      don't turn a deaf ear as in "the bitter uprising,"
      that time of wilderness testing!
   Even though they watched me at work for forty years,
      your ancestors refused to let me do it my way;
      over and over they tried my patience.
   And I was provoked, oh, so provoked!
      I said, "They'll never keep their minds on God;
      they refuse to walk down my road."
   Exasperated, I vowed,
      "They'll never get where they're going,
      never be able to sit down and rest."

For Reflection
One of the reasons that I reference The Message is that passages like these help me understand the extent to which God appreciates the human condition.  In his exasperation with his children, God promises that they will never get where their going if they follow the path they are taking.  In my mind this is not a threat.  It is, rather, a statement of truth - the consequence of their own choices, not God's punishment.  God points the pitfalls of separating our action from the will of God and then offers hope. It is somehow comforting to know that God gets provoked when we try His patience.  It is a sign of His love for us.

Pray to keep a firm grip on the bold confidence that we are God's house. Pray that you see the hope in God's loving hand. Give thanks for your place in the Kingdom of God.