He Who Promised is Faithful

Friday April 15, 2022

Created by Reverend Dikiea Elery

Hebrews 10:16–25 (NIV)

“This is the covenant I will make with them

after that time, says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them on their minds.”

17 Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts

I will remember no more.”

18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Devotion

I often find myself at a place in life where I feel like I would rather just be alone than to continue to try and navigate relationships. It just feels like too much to have to continually take the risk of being hurt or accountable to the actions of others. And I am aware that I am not perfect and I desire to be forgiven, but for some reason when it’s time for me to show grace or forgive, I seem to struggle. I have been known to say, “I can forgive but I will never forget.” Many times, I even just walk away, write people off and justify my actions with bitterness and blame.

But as I reflect on this Hebrews 10:16–25 passage, I am reminded that Jesus was blameless. He was innocent. Yet He willingly took on my sin and the sin of the world without complaint. He struggled. He prayed. He asked God to take this cup from Him. But He never gave up on me, on us. He never walked away. He never wrote us off. He pressed through in love. He persevered in grace and He saved out of mercy. So, if Jesus could innocently die so that I could live, who am I to be unforgiving? Who am I to just walk away? Verses 23–25 remind us to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

This is what Good Friday should inspire us to reflect upon, our obligation to live out the hope and love we have been so graciously shown through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer

God of Love, inspire us to respond to your work, even when it brings us to tears. Amen.