Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Hebrews 10-11 and Psalm 15

It was not enough for Christians living in a world filled with the sort of violent hostility as is described in Hebrews 11:35-38 to be inspired by the example of the great heroes and heroines of the faith as are listed in 11:4-34. They needed to make every effort to remain strong in their vertical relationships with God and their horizontal relationships with each other if their faith was to thrive.

To encourage their vertical relationships (and ours), Hebrews 10: 19-22 says:

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Jesus’ death on the Cross tore the veil in the Temple in two, symbolising the new and living way being opened for us to be able to confidently enter the Holy of Holies of God’s immediate presence. In His ascension, Jesus returned to the heavenly throne room, and now He ministers there. In a spiritual sense, every time we enter prayer, Jesus opens the door to the presence of God and ushers us in to draw near to God, to commune with Him in prayerful fellowship, and to be strengthened in our faith.

To encourage their horizontal relationships (and ours), Hebrews 10: 19-22 says:

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Each Christian is called by God to connect deeply and meaningfully with other Christians in our local Church, for the express purpose of stirring each other up to love the world and do good for the glory of God. So often Christians do not pursue this purpose when we gather. We are too often content to merely build friendships. Of course, that’s very important; but stirring each other up is even more important if we are truly to remain faithful to our King.

Life Application: Draw near to God through prayer today and give thanks for the high privilege of those moments of intimacy with Him. Find ways this weekend to truly connect with fellow believers, to be inspired by them – and to inspire them in turn – to greater expressions of Christlike love and good deeds.