“Confident of Better Things”

Monday, February 27, 2023

BIBLE READING: Hebrews 6.9-12

Jesus, draw me ever nearer as I labor through the storm; you have called me to this passage, and I’ll follow though I’m worn.
May this journey bring a blessing; may I rise on wings of faith; at the end of my heart’s testing, with your likeness, let me wake.

Jesus, guide me through the tempest; keep my spirit, staid and sure; when the midnight meets the morning, let me love you even more.
May this journey bring a blessing; may I rise on wings of faith; at the end of my heart’s testing, with your likeness, let me wake.

Let the treasures of the trial form within me as I go; at the end of this long passage, let me leave them at your throne.
May this journey bring a blessing; may I rise on wings of faith; at the end of my heart’s testing, with your likeness, let me wake.

“Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer”
Words by Margaret Becker
Copyright ©2002

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As I reflect on our bible reading from Hebrews 11, these words are a fitting summation. Many have endured the struggles of life with joy as they look ahead, and to this we have been called. “We have been born again to a living hope… to an inheritance that is imperishable… kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1.3-5). “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you have been grieved, by various trial, knowing that the tested genuineness of faith… [would] be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1.6-7).

This is the rhythm of every believer’s walk of faith: suffering and then glory. “Beloved do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it come upon you… but rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings” (1 Peter 4.12-12). “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace…  will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you” (1 Peter 5.10).

The comforts of life will entice us, and we may be tempted to apathy or to give up altogether on God. But even at its best the world’s comfort is fleeting and futile. It has no purpose or fulfillment for our souls. Let us go on to maturity in Christ (Hebrews 6.1) and serve the Lord. We have learned that “God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints” (Hebrews 6.10). Those who die in faith will receive the things promised, for God has prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11.13-16).

“Therefore, since we are surround by so a great cloud of witnesses” to a great and wonderful future, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”, keeping our eyes on Jesus who is our forerunner in the race (Hebrews 6.19-20, 12.1-2). We can be confident of better things – things that belong to salvation (Hebrews 6.9). Through the storms and trials of this passage there is a reward for the faithful. So, let us not “be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6.12)

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