Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

I find myself confused. I chose to write on this verse on the basis of the NIV, but the Japanese says, “Since the One who promised is faithful, let us not be upset, but firmly confess hope.” That seems to put the confession before the hope, almost as though saying we have hope will make it so. However, even as I write, the Lord is straightening things out in my mind and heart. I don’t ascribe to “name it and claim it” in the least, but what we say does have a major impact on us emotionally and spiritually. Regardless of circumstances, people who are always griping and complaining are not happy, because our words have a major influence on our focus. The point here is to put our focus on the One who promised, that is, Jesus Christ our Lord. As the hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” When we pin our hopes on anything less, and particularly on our own strength and abilities, those hopes will ultimately fail. As the next two verses indicate, we need help in keeping our focus straight, and that’s a major function of the Church. We are to be encouragers for one another, recognizing the hand of God in each other and talking about it. If you don’t see the progress you are making, it’s easy to give up. However, a brother or sister, recognizing your progress from their perspective, can lift you up and give you fresh motivation simply by talking about what they see in you. Our focus is to be on Christ, but our own circumstances, and particularly our own weaknesses and failures, are right in front of our noses. We aren’t to deny how things are right now, but we must always add, “But God…” That is hope indeed.

My own association with this chapter has included verse 25, which every pastor loves to use to encourage attendance, but it has primarily been with the section from verse 26, concluding with verse 31: “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” That section was the foundation of Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, that sparked the revival called The Great Awakening that prepared the American colonies spiritually for the Revolutionary War. It is certainly a warning not to take our religion lightly, but rather to cling to Christ in humble obedience. Actually, that goes back to the verse I did write on, because Christ is indeed faithful, and a magnificent foundation for hope. I don’t feel I am called to preach as Edwards did, and indeed, in a culture with no foundation in the Bible, it would be far more likely to drive people away than to drive them to repentance, as Edwards’ preaching did. However, every human being alive needs hope. I am to be careful to keep my own focus on Christ and be faithful to speak whatever He places in my heart and on my lips. He knows what people need to hear. How they respond is between Him and them; my job is faithful transmission. That said, I do want to be one who imparts hope in this hopeless world, for the salvation of many and for the glory of God.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the couple I talked to yesterday over the Internet, whom you are calling to minister in Japan. They responded as though I had given them hope that their calling would be fulfilled, and I pray for that fruition in Your timing. May I be Your agent in every interaction I have, today and every day, so that the Body of Christ may be built up for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!