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Day 19 This Hope

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:19-20 



The author of Hebrews packs a whole lot into just a few verses... the wisdom God shares with us just blows me away sometimes.  Anyways, the subtitle of this section of verses is called "The Certainty of God's Promise." It speaks of God's promise to Abraham that was passed down through the generations as he "desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose" (v17).  He created this hope for us. Heirs to the promise.  And there were and are two unchangeable aspects of this promise:

1. It is impossible for God to lie,
2. We who have fled for refuge might have a strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us (v18).

It makes sense that it is impossible for God to lie-- he is a perfect being, a good Father, and a sovereign King.  He has no reason to lie.  But the truth that we have refuge in a hope that God has gone ahead and declared over us for all time, and that this fact is unchangeable by any being, that's life-changing.  

We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of our soul.  It binds us to a vessel bigger than ourselves and keeps us steady in the midst of storms.  We may be blown by the winds, and the waves may crash over us, but we will not be moved.  

This hope enters the inner place behind the curtain-- the curtain that was torn (talk about beauty in broken things).  The inner place was a place in the temple where only the high priest was allowed to enter once a year on the Day of Atonement.  Even when he went behind the curtain, he was usually held by a rope tied to his ankles so he could be dragged out if he did not survive in the presence of the Holy of Holies.  But this hope, that Jesus went before us as a sacrificial high priest, allows all to enter the Holy of Holies and bow before the Mercy Seat.  Everyone is welcome. 

So. Much. Truth.  

Let's rest in this hope, okay? You are a child of God, who went before you to give you a hope that would comfort you through any trial you may face.  It is unchangeable, unshakeable, and holds fast to your soul, if only you will trust your Father.  Rest in this truth, friends.  Let it feed and sustain your soul.  



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