“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things” Heb 1:1
When God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament, He did so in order to reveal Himself to mankind. We can read the prophets and begin to understand the nature and character of the God we are supposed to worship. As we discover who God is we should realize that He alone is worthy of our worship. We can see His abundant grace and mercy towards mankind and that He is a personal God.
To me, the Old Testament demonstrates the Lord’s desire for a covenant relationship with us as a people and as individuals. We can see His great love for us. Jesus came not only as Savior but as the last prophet, revealing more of the Lord’s love and desire for our hearts. The Father said “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matt 17:5
Christ was the ultimate gift of love. This understanding must cause us to respond. Not only must we hear Him but we need to obey. Hearing the voice of God and obeying is beneficial to us. Everything I read in the Bible shows me that the closer I draw to God, the more I try to demonstrate my love for Him, the better my life will become in all aspects. This has been proven true in my daily life as I have matured as a Christian. We are promised that Jesus will help us.
“For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham…….for in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” Heb 2:15-18
We are the seed of Abraham and that promise is for us. “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” Gal 3:29
We do not have to take life’s journey alone. We do not have to fight the battles alone. The Lord wants to be with us by our side helping us. It takes us being as committed to the relationship as God is. When we enter and stay in a covenant relationship with Him daily, His grace moves on the circumstances of our lives on our behalf.
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:14
We can enter into God’s rest in these troubled times. We must let go of ourselves. We must empty ourselves of self. God can not fill us with His Spirit if we are already full of ourselves. How are we going to empty ourselves? Realize that God knows us individually and wants an intimate covenant relationship one on one with us. Then open our hearts and lives completely to Him. Let Him in where we live.
“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me” Pslm 139:1-5
We can surrender ourselves fully to Him knowing that He will keep us safe because that is Who He is. We can surrender and without fear say “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” Pslm 139:23-24
The Lord as our Father has the responsibility to provide for us. He promises that He will. Our responsibility is to become better sons and daughters.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…….For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” Matt 6:31
We can run this race with confidence. We should have the expectation of victory. We are His and His is ours.
Therefore….let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” Heb 12:1-3
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