BY THE BLOOD

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…” (Hebrews 10:19-20, NIV)

“Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.” (Hebrews 4:16, NET)

No one can “confidently approach the throne of grace” (“the Most Holy Place”) on the merit of their own achievement or self-righteousness. We can only approach God and enter in His presence through Christ on the grounds of His atoning sacrifice.

It’s on the merit of the spotless life which Christ lived and the sacrificial death He died that anyone who seeks a relationship with God today can stand without any sense of guilt or condemnation. That is, to stand behind the blood of Jesus that speaks better things – the blood that speaks forgiveness!

IN THE LAST DAYS

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1)

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5)

The two scriptures passages we have quoted outline some of the ills that will characterize the behaviour and attitudes of many people in the last days. The future tense mood in which passages have been written should not confuse us. The believer needs to understand that we are already in the last days. The last days are upon us and the characteristic effect as described by our texts can be seen everywhere you look.

ON CHRISTIAN COURAGE

Do you dare to take that next step of faith? The question here is one of Christian courage.

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7, ESV)

“Be strong and very courageous” is not an exclusive call intended for Joshua alone but universal call to every believer both under the Old Covenant and the New Covenant in Christ.

No matter how else courage may be defined or whatever else it may be considered to be, there is one unique way that the Christian must perceive it: courage is that which compels one to do as God commands no matter what existing conditions may be. Its end is always a “good success” and the glory of God.

THE WIND & THE CLOUDS

“Whoever watches the wind will never plant. Whoever looks at the clouds will never harvest.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4, GW)

There is never going to be a time in your life when you can guarantee that all your circumstances and situations will line up so perfectly that you would never need to deal with or overcome something in order to get to the place you desire to be at that given time.

Our text suggests that we will not always have the perfect conditions in which to do the work that we need to do, yet we can strive to be fruitful despite the absence of optimal conditions. God has given us grace to produce result even in the difficult circumstances provoked by the fall; and He will bless your diligent effort.

COUNT GOD FAITHFUL

“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11, NKJV)

God's plans and purposes, His promises and instructions as revealed in the Scriptures are clear expressions of His paternal love and care for all His creation. His will is pre-eminent but never forced on humanity whom He has endowed with free-will and freedom to chose. Rather God asks us to test His word and see that He is trustworthy. God is all-powerful, yet if it were not for His integrity and faithfulness, His word would be meaningless and powerless to impact lives and inspire change world over.