Verse for Today - Hebrews 9:27-28 "EAGERLY WAITING FOR HIM?"

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."

Biblegateway.com Hebrews 9:27-28

Biblegateway.com Hebrews chapter 9

This is an important verse.  For a long time I have understood it as primarily focusing on the fact that men live and die once... And that after this living-and-dying-once it is too late to change one's spiritual state or future.

As I reflect on this passage today... it does teach what I always thought, but there's two additional points to be made by what follows.

1. Christ's atoning death is a once and done event.  It was and is a wholly sufficient payment for all the sins of His people (those who hope in and receive God's grace).

2. His people are then described as "those who eagerly wait for Him."

I guess this is the part that intrigued me... Do we eagerly wait for Him? What does, or what should, that look like?  As Chapter 9 concludes and Chapter 10begins, it is clear that we should trust in Christ's perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.  

Verses 19-25 are worth a careful reading.  Look for the words: "faith," "hope," and "love."

Then notice his final exhortation.  "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some..."  Wonder why?  Short answer: God says so and we can trust He knows what we need.

Verse for Today - James 1:2-3 (click to read)

James 1:2-3

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Read at Bible Gateway Read all of James 1

I was looking over all the Verse for Today verses I've not written about or forwarded and was caught by this one.  Consider if pure joy... not just joy, but PURE joy when you face trials of many kinds.

Why is that?  Well, the author (James) provides the answer in Verse 3, "because you know...."   We're supposed to know more than just the unpleasantness of going through trials.  We're supposed to recognize that we're going through them for a beneficial reason.  That our faith is being tested, tempered, tried... so that it will produce perseverance.   

And what is perseverance and why should we want it?  It is longevity in the faith... endurance to the end.  Without it we would fall short or lose interest.  Trials cause us to rely wholly upon the LORD... and that is what we're supposed to do all the time.  Hence, God's word to Paul and us all:  "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)."

Verse for Today - 1 Peter 5:8-9 (Click for mini-blog)

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Read at Bible Gateway

Read all of 1 Peter 5

What does the world do with a verse like this?  Probably nothing.  Depending how they see they world, they might think there’s no need to be alert and watchful.  From their perspective they might think that Satan and evil beings don’t exist.

What do Christians do with a verse like this?  It’s something we should think about.  Sometimes Satan pretends to be an Angel of Light (see 2 Corinthians 10) and sounds almost Christian.  He uses deception and seduction to fool people into thinking they’re with him on God’s side when they’re not.  Of this sort are pastors who make you feel good about yourself and entice you with promises of wealth, success and happiness.  They won’t tell you to deny yourself, take up your cross and be ready to suffer for Christ. 

In Verses 8 and 9 we’re warned that sometimes Satan doesn’t pretend at all.  He hates God and he hates devoted Christians (see Rev. 12:17).  Sometimes he can ruthlessly persecute and crush them, seemingly at will.  What should Christians do when confronted with evil in this way?  

ANSWER: “Be watchful and sober minded.”  “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”  Stand against evil and the Evil One and you have done your job.  In the last part of the verse he connects our trials to those of others around the world… and perhaps throughout history.  With faithful devotion, God will be pleased to either rescue us or welcome us into his eternal kingdom.  Those with genuine faith trust their heavenly Father to provide for them in this life and in the life to come.

Verse for Today - Isaiah 41:10 (click to read mini-blog)

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Read at Bible Gateway

Read all of Isaiah 41

This verse in Isaiah 41 has been immortalized in the gospel hymn "How Firm a Foundation."  As you may know the first verse of this hymn asks an extended question. 

"How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord, 

is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He has said,

to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?"

What is this firm foundation the hymn writer identifies?  Well, it's the fact that God has revealed himself favorable toward His people.  In spite of their sin and the terrible judgment that He would inflict  upon them, God promises to take care of His own.

That was true then, and this remains true today.  These words were intended for God's Old Testament saints.  In verse 8 He describes them as "the descendants of Abraham His friend."   In spite of the judgment of the Exile, He would not forget His promises.  The same is true today.

The hymn writer captures the essence of today's verse in the second stanza:

"Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed;

for I am your God, and will still give you aid;

I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,

upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."

Pretty encouraging.  The remaining stanzas then apply this comfort to believers in all of life's trials.

P.S. You can hear these words sung at the by clicking on the song title above.

Verse for Today - Isaiah 12:4

Isaiah 12:4

"In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted."

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Read all of Isaiah 12

This verse from the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah looks forward to the time after the First Coming of Christ (His Incarnation, suffering, death and resurrection) and especially after His Second Coming.  In the previous Chapter (11), the anticipation of the great Son of David, "the Branch of Jesse", is announced.  

His coming will usher in a day when all that is broken will be fixed, all that is sick shall be healed.  We're told in Romans 8 that the whole Creation groans in travail awaiting for the fulfilment of redemption.  Well, after the final coming of Christ, all struggle, hardship and pain will be over.  Listen to the words used to describe this remarkable time (Isaiah 11:6-9):

"The wolf will live with the lamb, 

    the leopard will lie down with the goat,

the calf and the lion and the yearling together;

    and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear,

    their young will lie down together, 

and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den,

 and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy 

on all my holy mountain, 

for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

Already now, we have the privilege and responsibility of proclaiming the rightful worship and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of all the Earth!  

Verse for Today - Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Read at Bible Gateway

Read all of Psalm 46

This Psalm gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of time and history.  Almost by definition we look at life and our place in it from the perspective of day to day life.  Psalm 46 urges us to look higher.  To see that God is exalted above all and fulfilling the purposes of His holy will.  

Despite the fact that the earth and our lives in it can be hectic and hard... and even appear hopeless.... "though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea..."  

We are told to remember that the LORD is God.... that our Refuge and Strength, our Fortress is with us.   He provides comfort and hope for His People, His Church.  These are ones that God loves and love God.   An important consideration!

We're then told to be still...  to be quiet... to be silent.   And then we're exhorted to know (remember) that God is God.  Ironic in a way... we're commanded to do what we should do by definition.  He will vindicate Himself and His Name among the nations.    He will be exalted in the earth.  

Reminds me of Philippians 2:9-11 

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name, 

 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

 

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

    to the glory of God the Father."