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In the fall from fervently following Christ to bitterly opposing Him, there is a state of sluggishness that occurs. The writer Hebrews says this can happen, but he doesn’t want it to happen to the reader.
In verse 13 we have an example of Abraham. We have a God who promised, and we have Abraham who obtained the promise. We’ll also take a look at how firmly the anchor of this promise held and holds.
God, from the foundation of the world, knew all things and had a plan for fallen man, to deliver him from sin and condemnation and to spiritually prosper those who accept His plan and provisions.
Does an oath make someone’s word worth more or more credible? God wanted Abraham to believe the promise, the oath that God swore to Abraham was to help Abraham trust and believe it.
God pleads with us to trust Him. Faith reaches for a God who is trustworthy and believable. God wanted to help Abraham believe and trust Him.
God’s promise to Abraham had two parts. First that Abraham’s descendants would be greatly multiplied. Second that all the nations of the world would be blessed by one of his descendants.
God’s promise with an oath was a piece of strong evidence. But the greater evidence was Jesus’ life on earth, the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham. We trust someone that we love more easily than someone we are suspicious of. God didn’t just promise good things, He wants to help us trust Him.
Why did God approach Abraham instead of someone else? Nehemiah says that the Lord God chose Abraham, his heart was found faithful. God saw something in Abraham’s heart and knew how he would respond and approached him.
Over the years Abraham’s faith grew as he got to know God more closely, as he related to God. Trusting God is not only about believing God’s promises are true, but also that His commandments are right and good and that we should follow them. Abrahams faith wobbled at times, but generally, he listened to God and followed, and as he did his faith grew stronger.
With a strong faith, there is a strong hope. With a weak faith, not so much, we can be more easily discouraged.
The anchor that holds… a boat or ship that is offshore, away from a dock, is subject to wind and waves. Anchors are designed for one purpose, to secure a vessel in one spot so the ship doesn’t drift about.
What are we fleeing from? What are we fleeing to? We were desperately lost sinners under condemnation. We flee for refuge, for grace, for guidance and victory and comfort. We live in a world that is careening towards the end times, but the conqueror, Jesus will have a great victory.
Scriptures used – Hebrews 6:13-20, Genesis, Galatians 3, James, Nehemiah 9:7-8, John 8, Psalm, Acts 27, Revelation, 1 Peter 1