Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Short Thoughts for Today

Hebrews 6:9 will be the passage of scripture for today's short thoughts. The author was inspired to write, "But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way."

Over the last several weeks we have seen that the Hebrew writer had admonished the recipients of the letter in different areas of their faith. They had been reminded of the necessity to pay close attention to what they had heard in order that they may not drift away from it. They had been challenged in regards to anyone having an unbelieving heart. They had been cautioned against hardening one's heart towards God. They had been encouraged to enter His rest. The writer had spoken to them of their "dull hearing" and the fact that although sufficient time in the faith had passed where they should be teachers, they needed to be taught again the elementary principles and were not prepared for solid food but only milk.

And yet we are reminded today that these first readers of the letter were counted amongst the "beloved". What a reassuring truth for you and I. I am quickly reminded that the Lord disciplines those whom He loves and that He does so "for our good". I think that he both reassured them and challenged them that he was "convinced of better things" concerning them. These "better things" were things that "accompany salvation". By paying close attention to the word of God and having a soft and believing heart towards Him, by entering His rest and maturing in their faith, they would come to walk in these "better things". For His glory, may we seek His guidance and direction that we might do the same.

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