Revelation 8: Silence in Heaven

Today’s reading is Revelation 8.

“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Revelation 8:1, ESV).

Silence in heaven? What on earth does that represent?

I don’t want to shock you with my answer, but I think it represents silence in heaven for half an hour. Think about it. From the moment John was called to God’s throne room he has been met with cacophony. The creatures, the elders, the angels, the inhabitants of the universe have been shouting, singing, crying out, warring, thundering. Certainly, John saw a near-blinding visual spectacle. But don’t forget to imagine the near-deafening sounds.

Then Jesus broke the seventh seal and…

SILENCE!

The thundering ceased. The singing stopped. The shouting ended. No praises. No laments. No crying out. No calling back. Nothing. Silence.

The creatures, the elders, the angels, the multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, became instantly silent. They waited in silence. They sat or stood still. This was a mixture of awe, reverence, and expectation. Each participant equally unwilling to break the mood of the moment.

The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him (Habakkuk 2:20, ESV).

There is, no doubt, a time in God’s temple to shout and sing. But there is a time to be silent. A time to be still in quiet reverence and awe at the presence of God. A time sit in silent reflection on what God has done. A time to stand in concentrated expectation on what God will do next.

This is where every creature in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth stayed for about half an hour in John’s vision. And John was there silent among them.

Can you imagine if we asked for a 30-minute period of silence in our congregational assemblies for worship? What if we asked for simply 2 minutes? Could we do it? Could we sit in silent reverence, reflection, awe, and expectation? Or would we simply find it an awkward interruption to our worship? I can’t help but wonder if the test of our worship-mindedness would not be silence. We are emotionally moved when we get to sing out and express ourselves. We are informed and instructed when someone teaches in our assembly. Being led in prayer can be tough, but at least something is happening. But what if we just had a few moments of silence? What if we were left alone in the crowd with just our thoughts? Would the worship continue in our hearts and minds or would what we commonly call worship be lost to us and hard to restore in that moment?

Why not try it yourself? Find a quiet place and spend some time in silent reflection on God and His work. You don’t have to shoot for thirty minutes. If five is all you can do, do five minutes. Simply be still and know He is God.

Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 8.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Revelation 8 prompt or improve your praise of God?

Revelation 3: Meet the Groom (Part 2)

Today’s reading is Revelation 3.

Recall from last week’s posts, Revelation tells an apocalyptic story leading to a wedding between Jesus Christ (the Hero and Groom) and His church (the Bride). The book begins with a series of billets-doux (love letters) from the Groom to His Bride-to-be. We’ve already seen we don’t need to take this metaphor too strictly. However, as we treat each of the seven churches in Asia as a manifestation of Jesus’s Bride, we’ve seen great instruction and warning regarding preparation for the wedding feast at the end of the book. In Revelation 3, we see more of how Jesus presents Himself to His Bride.

The Groom is the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. The “seven spirits of God” recalls the description of the three-person nature of God in Revelation 1:4-5. There we saw the Father described as “him who is and who was and who is to come,” the Son as “Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.” Between them we see “the seven spirits who are before his throne.” In Revelation 5:6, we will learn what this apocalyptic representation of the Holy Spirit means. These “seven spirits” are sent throughout the whole earth. That is, our Groom, the Lamb of God, sees all and knows all. And He holds the seven stars, the angels or messengers to the churches. The Groom is mediator between God and men. He holds both the Spirit of God and the messengers to the churches. The Bride should listen to Him when He speaks.

The Groom is the “holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one can shut, who shuts and no one opens.” Of course, this ties in with what the Groom will say to His Bride in Philadelphia. He will put an open door before her. If He opened the door, no one can shut it. In addition to this incredible power which no one can overcome, He is holy and true. He uses that key of David for the good of His Bride. If He opens a door, the Bride can trust it’s a good door to walk through. He calls His Bride to faithfulness because He Himself is faithful. He doesn’t have a double-standard. He will not be tempted by the Great Prostitute we meet later in the book. He is holy. He is true. He is holy and true to His Father and holy and true to His Bride.

Finally, the Groom is “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” Not, He is the first of God’s creations. Rather, He is the power from which creation began. As in Colossians 1:15-16, He is the firstborn of creation because He created all things, not because He was the first created being. Think about that for a second. How did the creation happen? God *said*, “Let there be light,” and it was. What He says is. This is the meaning behind Jesus being the Amen or the “so let it be.” When Jesus speaks, it is the way Jesus says it is. Therefore, He is also the faithful and true witness. However Jesus says things are they are. His Yes is Yes and His No is No. He is honest and trustworthy. Laodicea will need to know that because their perception of themselves is way off. They need to trust Jesus’s testimony about them.

This is the Groom. He is incredible. He sees and knows all. He is undefeatable. He is unwaveringly faithful and true. We can take His words to the bank. What more would a Bride want from a Groom?

Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 3.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Revelation 3 prompt or improve your praise of God?

John 20: Risen!

Today’s reading is John 20.

There’s no coming back from a spear shoved up into your heart.

Or is there?

The King is Risen! Long live the King!

Friday’s post was a bit of a downer. I admit it. Unless, of course, you already knew what was coming next. And here it is. On Friday, Jesus died. He was really, truly, and in all other ways dead. He was buried. But on the morning of the third day, Mary Magdalene showed up to the tomb, the stone was rolled back, and it was empty. Jesus’s body was gone.

Mary thought the body had been stolen. Apparently, she was so distraught she actually left before the angels spoke to the other women. She told the apostles the body was missing. Two of them came to check out the tomb. Mary stayed behind and met…

…the resurrected Jesus!

The King is Risen! Long live the King!

Jesus had said in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (ESV). The apostles didn’t understand what Jesus truly meant when He said it. But after Mary witnessed the resurrected Jesus and the apostles did as well, they understood. He was talking about the temple of His body.

The King is Risen! Long live the King!

Yes, we serve a King that was executed as if He was a criminal. We must not miss that and all it means for us. But, on the third day He defeated death. He rose from the grave. If we want to defeat death and the grave, I suggest we follow the only one in all of human history who has.

Are you willing to join us in following Him? If we can help you, let us know in the comments.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does John 20 prompt or improve your praise of God?

Psalm 104: On Angels and the Son

Today’s reading is Psalm 104

Did Psalm 104:4 sound familiar?

He makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire (ESV).

The author of Hebrews quotes it in his discussion of angels and the Son of God in Hebrews 1:7. God never said to any angels, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” God never said to any angels, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.” He did say magnificent things to angels. He declared them to be winds and flames of fire. This is a picture of storms complete with lightening. He may be calling to mind the wind that blew back the Red Sea and the pillar of fire and cloud separating Israel from Egypt as they crossed on dry land. Angels are great. But they are not the Son. In fact, all God’s angels are to worship the Son.

But do not miss this. In Hebrews 1:2, we are told God appointed the Son heir of all things and He created the world through the Son. Not only that, but the Son is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3a). In other words, Psalm 104 talks about angels, but it also talks about the Son. Who is the God in Psalm 104 who created the world and everything in it? Who is the God in Psalm 104 who provides sustenance for man and beast still? That God is the Son. He is Jesus. He is greater than the angels and ministers.

But notice this. In Hebrews 1:3b, “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (ESV). Recall the sinners our psalm hopes will be consumed from the earth? Jesus provides purification for those sinners so we don’t have to be. We can turn to the Creator. He doesn’t want us consumed. We can escape that wrath and judgment. We can dwell with God forever.

But only because of Jesus.

Praise the Lord!

Next week’s reading is Psalm 105.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

What do you want to share with others from Psalm 104?

Psalm 97: Worship the Most High Firstborn

I admit today’s post is a bit complex. I don’t think first century Jews who saw Jesus as the Messiah would have found it complex, but I fear we today do. We often take Fridays to find Jesus in the Psalms. He is definitely in Psalm 97. In fact, He is found here in a way truly fitting how the ancients read Scripture. However, we moderns likely miss it. Thankfully, the author of Hebrews gives us a clue. Allow me to share with you the truly powerful means by which we find Jesus here.

In Hebrews 1:6, the author quotes Psalm 97:7. However, he quotes the Greek version (LXX) of the statement, saying: “And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him'” (ESV). Where the Masoretic has the word “gods” in Psalm 97:7, the LXX has “angels.” Some suggest this quote is from Deuteronomy 32:43. I’m sure there is a connection to this similar statement. However, I can find nothing in the Deuteronomy 32 context to connect to the “firstborn” mentioned by the author of Hebrews. Of course, that leaves us wondering how Psalm 97:7 connects to the firstborn. After all, that psalm doesn’t mention the firstborn being brought into the world either, does it?

The key is in the string of verses the Hebrew author connects. In Hebrews 1:5, he cited 2 Samuel 7:14 in which God says of David’s son, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son” (ESV). When the Hebrew writer quotes that covenant and then immediately speaks of the firstborn being brought into the world, the Hebrew reader was pointed to a psalm explicitly mentioning the firstborn as part of a reference to the Davidic covenant. The psalmist refers to and expands on the muted covenant statement of 2 Samuel 7:14 saying, “He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth” (Psalm 89:26-27, ESV). The term “firstborn” in Hebrews 1:6 connects the covenant in 2 Samuel 7 with the statement in Psalm 89.

But how does that connect to Psalm 97? I’m so glad you asked.

The ESV translation obscures the connection. In Psalm 89:27, the firstborn is called “the highest of the kings of the earth.” The word translated “highest” is the Hebrew “elyon.” The Psalmists used this word 22 times. All but one of its uses in the Psalms are translated “most high,” and refer directly to YHWH the Lord God of Israel. The only time it doesn’t is in Psalm 89:27 when it refers to the firstborn, the son of David, the Messiah. But guess where we specifically find this term? That’s right. In Psalm 97.

For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

Psalm 97:9 (ESV)

And this solidifies our connection. Why does our Hebrew author connect Psalm 97:7 to the firstborn, the Messiah and demonstrate He is greater than all angels? Because the Messiah, the firstborn, is the Most High over all the earth and over all the kings of the earth. He recognizes this by stringing together passages all about the one who is the Most High above the earth (Psalm 97:7, 9), who is also the firstborn and Most High above all kings of the earth (Psalm 89:26-27), who is the son of David and the son of God (2 Samuel 7:14).

Complex? I know. If it wasn’t clear on your first read through. Please, go back and check the connections again. But notice this. In Psalm 89, the “highest” or “Most High” is the firstborn, the son of David, the Messiah. Do you see who He is in Psalm 97? He is the LORD. He is YHWH. He is the God of Israel. Who is the Messiah? He is not only the son of David, He is the son of God. He is God the Son. He is the Lord. Who is Jesus? He is YHWH in the flesh, incarnate, tabernacling among men. Jesus is most high above all the earth. All the angels should worship Him. He is greater than all “gods.” If angels and gods should worship Him, what should we do? We should give thanks to His holy name, worshiping Him, praising Him, glorifying Him, giving our allegiance to Him.

Praise the Lord! That’s our King!

Next week’s reading is Psalm 98.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

What do you want to share with others from Psalm 97?

Psalm 91: The Lord’s Angels

Today’s reading is Psalm 91.

Can we just be amazed at Psalm 91:11 for a minute?

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways (ESV).

Of course, this corresponds to God’s promise to the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness and as they moved into the conquest of Palestine (Exodus 23:20-33). But we are not to read this verse and say, “That was them, this is us.” Hebrews 1:14 explains angels are even still “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (ESV).

I’m not saying you have a guardian angel. I am saying angels guard us. I am saying God has given commands to angels concerning us. I am saying we are not alone. I don’t know how they do that. I don’t know exactly their work. I don’t expect we will actually see them. I doubt we will know this side of eternity what they did. But they are there. God has commanded them to give thought to us and work on our behalf.

Be amazed! And give thanks.

That is how special we who take our refuge in God are. He has tasked angels with protecting us.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 91.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Psalm 91 prompt or improve your trust in God?

Psalm 82: He Said Who are Gods?

Today’s reading is Psalm 82.

Someone is in trouble in this week’s psalm. But who?

Our Asaphite psalmist claims God sits in a divine council and holds judgment in the midst of gods. The word “divine” translates the Hebrew “el” and “gods” translates “elohim.” These words are used to refer to “god” and “gods.” Often, they are used to refer to the one true God and sometimes used as a generic for beings considered deities. In Psalm 8:5, “elohim” is used to refer to “heavenly beings” (ESV) or “angels” (NKJV). To top it all off, God calls the members of this assembly “gods” and “sons of the Most High” (Psalm 82:6).

Who are these “gods” in trouble for not judging properly?

Some suggest this refers to a council of angelic beings, heavenly beings, the host of heaven, if you will. Some passages suggest such an assembly, host, council exists (see 1 Kings 22:19-23; Psalm 89:5-8; Isaiah 24:21; Jeremiah 23:18). Perhaps this group is made up of the heavenly realities behind the angel’s message to Daniel when he mentioned the “prince of the kingdom of Persia,” “the prince of Greece,” and “Michael, one of the chief princes” (Daniel 10:12-13, 20). Others suggest the psalmist borrowed a picture from the neighboring nations of their pantheon of gods presenting God as head over all beings, even the gods of the nations. These suggest Yahweh’s declaration that “on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments” in Exodus 12:12 is validation of using this picture even if the other gods don’t exist.

Perhaps there is something to these ideas. However, before we get too taken with them, let’s remember Jesus actually said something about this psalm. In fact, He actually said something about these ones called “gods.”

In John 10:34-36, when the Jews were attacking Jesus for calling Himself the Son of God, thus making Him equal with God, Jesus responded: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came–and Scripture cannot be broken–do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” (ESV).

Jesus explains the “gods” in this passage are the ones to whom the word of God came. That rules out heavenly beings and false gods. Neither of these received the word of God. Who received that? Israel did. According to Romans 3:1-2, “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God” (ESV). God gave the Word, His Oracles, to the Jews.

Possibly, Psalm 82:6 refers specifically to judges, princes, priests, rulers among the Israelites. I admit, that has been my view for a long time. However, studying further, I think God is proclaiming judgment over all His chosen people. After all, the entire people were charge in the second greatest commandment to love their neighbor, to avoid oppressing the weak and needy, and to provide for the weak and the fatherless (see Leviticus 19:9-18). The entire nation was commanded to judge their neighbors in righteousness, not with partiality.

Despite Israel being chosen by God and set apart from all nations, despite being called “sons of the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1) and “children of the living God” (Hosea 1:10), they would be judged and die for committing the same wickedness as the nations removed from the land before them. They would die just like all men when God brought judgment upon them.

So many of the psalms present Israelites crying out “Why? This psalm presents God’s response. Let us learn from this. We may be part of God’s chosen people. We may be His sons and daughters. If we live like the world, we will be judged like the world.

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 82.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

What admonition do you receive from Psalm 82?

Brotherly Love Must Continue

Today’s reading is Hebrews 13.

On the one hand, I hate to get into original language stuff on a devotional blog like this. On the other hand, I sometimes just can’t help myself. While we can get the overarching point without knowing Greek in this passage, there are two subtleties I’d like to bring to your attention.

First, the Greek language has a unique expression of commands or imperatives. In English, when we give commands, we can only do so in the second person. I command whoever or whatever I’m speaking to. I cannot talk to you while commanding something or someone else. However, in Biblical Greek, I can because there is a third person imperative. In other words, while talking to you, I can command something or someone else. It is so foreign to English speakers, it’s hard for us to even grasp the concept. We find one of these third person imperatives in Hebrews 13:1. Our author is talking to Hebrew Christians about brotherly love, but the verb for “continue” is a command. Our author is not talking to “brotherly love” as if that abstract concept has any personal control over whether it continues. He is addressing his readers. No doubt, his meaning is his audience is commanded to do something with brotherly love. But grammatically, he is commanding brotherly love to continue. This matter about brotherly love is not passive. The common English translations of such third-person imperatives to “let” something be the case, is weak. It is better to read it as “Brotherly love must continue.” Our author is not suggesting brotherly love, permitting brotherly love, advising brotherly love, he is commanding brotherly love. Brotherly love MUST continue.

Second, our author uses word play we miss in the translation. Many of us have heard sermons in which we have been told the word translated “brotherly love” is the same as the name of a Pennsylvanian city, “philadelphia.” It combines the words for “love” and “brother.” What we might not know is the word translated “hospitality” is “philoxenia,” combing the words for “love” and “stranger.” “Hospitality” is the correct translation. We can practice hospitality with people we know and strangers. That being said, our author is most definitely bringing the connection to strangers to the forefront. After all, it is through “hospitality” given to strangers Abraham and Lot entertained angels unawares (Genesis 18, 19). The reason it is important to notice this play on words is because our author is not giving multiple commands here. Rather, he is giving one command and then providing explanations of how to do it. Brotherly love must continue. It is continued by maintaining hospitality for brothers and sisters we don’t even know and by remembering the persecuted.

Our author reminds us of Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 25:31-46. In the judgment, we will give account for our brotherly love. Our brotherly love is not praised if it is only given to those we know well, who have loved us first, or who we have deemed can love us in return. When we welcome strangers from among the brethren, feed the hungry, care for the afflicted, visit the prisoners, we are doing so for Jesus.

This brotherly love must continue.

Tomorrow’s reading is Hebrews 13.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Why is hospitality difficult?
3. Why is hospitality difficult when we add in the concept of doing it for strangers even while understanding the context is about brethren in Christ?
4. How does recognizing that when we offer hospitality to strangers we are offering it to Jesus help us be hospitable?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

The Living, Active Word of God

Today’s reading is Hebrews 4.

Our author encourages his audience to “strive” to enter the rest God has promised. The same word used here is employed by Paul to tell Timothy and Titus to “Do your best” (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:9, 21; Titus 3:12). It is the word Peter uses to encourage his readers to “be diligent” (2 Peter 1:10; 3:14). It’s the same word Paul uses elsewhere to talk about being “eager” (Galatians 2:10; Ephesians 4:3). In other words, we need to strive, to do our best, to be diligent, to be eager to enter the promised rest of God. We will not accidentally stumble into God’s rest. We will only get there on purpose.

However, our author’s reason for encouraging eagerness and diligence is anchored in the nature of God’s Word. God’s Word is living. It is not dead. It remains and abides (see also 2 Peter 1:23-25). It is active. That is, working. It accomplishes things. In fact, it accomplishes what God sent it to accomplish (see Isaiah 55:10-13). It is keen-edged and sharp. So sharp it can cut a dividing line between things that seem indivisible like soul and spirit, joints and marrow, thoughts and intentions. This is God’s voice and speech. His sight is also a reason to do our best. No one is hidden from Him. Even the darkest corner is bright to God (see Psalm 139:12).

The first time the term translated “word” in Hebrews 4:12 is used in this letter is Hebrews 2:2. There it is translated “message.” In that passage, the contrast was between the “word/message of angels” and the salvation declared by the Lord Jesus. Though “word/message” is not repeated, it is implied. The Lord-declared salvation is the “word” of the Lord attested by God’s Holy Spirit. The next time we find the term is in Hebrews 4:2, again translated “message.” The “message/word” is good news or gospel. The ancients had the word of God which was good news, but it did them no good because they didn’t believe it and pursue its promises. We have received good news as well, that is, the word of God. It will do us absolutely no good if we neglect and ignore it.

Specifically, our author is referring to the “word” or “message” from the Holy Spirit through David that we have as Psalm 95. That is God’s Word. He said it. It is certain. We can try to fight against it, but it is the sharpest sword we will ever face, and it will cut us down. We can try to hide from its message, but it is the brightest light and the most piercing eyes, and it will expose us before all.

Our author is essentially telling us we had better be eager to pursue God’s rest because it is certain and sure. If we neglect that salvation, that promise, that rest, all that is left us is the judgment promised by God’s Word. We won’t accidentally stumble our way in. We won’t get in because of heavenly red-tape or spiritual bureaucratic oversight. We won’t sneak past God while He’s looking some other way. There is only one way to enter God’s rest and that is based on God’s Word.

As we often say, “God’s way works.” It is the only one that does. The only way to be eager, to be diligent, to strive, to do our best to enter God’s rest is to listen to and follow God’s Word.

Are you?

Tomorrow’s reading is Hebrews 4.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. What are your first impressions of our author’s view of God’s Word?
3. How should we respond to God’s Word if what our author says is true?
4. What comfort can we take in God’s Word if what he says is true?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

Pay Attention and Don’t Drift Away

Today’s reading is Hebrews 2.

In Galatians, the Gentile Christians were quickly deserting the gospel (Galatians 1:6). In Hebrews, the Jewish Christians are in danger of drifting away (Hebrews 2:1). We see this “drift away” term used in the Greek translation of Proverbs 3:21. There the Hebrew that has come down to us warns against “losing sight of” wisdom, knowledge, and discretion. The picture of falling away for the Gentile Christians in Galatia was that of people who came to a fork in the road having been told which direction to take, but someone at the fork convinced them to suddenly and quickly choose the other path. They had quickly deserted the way. The picture of these Hebrew Christians, however, is more like sailors in a boat getting distracted, taking their eyes off the shore that is their reference point. Perhaps they were distracted with their work in the boat, perhaps playing games in the hold, perhaps just daydreaming. They don’t even realize how they are drifting away. They look up to discover they’ve lost sight of the shoreline. They have no idea how the boat has spun about or turned. They have no reference point to know the direction they should be going. They have drifted away and lost sight of God’s way of righteousness.

With this word picture, the author closes the loop on why he has been comparing the Son of God to the angels of God. The Hebrews viewed the Law as delivered by angels to Moses and the prophets (Hebrews 2:2; see also Acts 7:53). The many times and many ways of Hebrews 1:1 were, in the view of the Jews, connected to angels. Believing the Law was delivered by angels, the Jews naturally viewed it as certain. Further, they looked through the Law and saw the number of times those who disregarded it were judged and punished. The Son has brought a message of salvation. If He is superior to the angels, how much more certain is His message? In other words, there is no salvation apart from the Son’s message. If these Hebrew Christians lose sight of the Son and of His teaching, they are adrift on a roiling sea which will no doubt capsize them and break them apart.

The message for us is clear. As we learned in Galatians, we should take care no one suddenly springs a trap on us or causes us to quickly desert. However, at the same time, we must beware of the danger of drifting. We must keep our attention on the Word of the Son lest we look up and discover we’ve lost sight of the shoreline. How easy it is to get distracted. How easy it is to get caught up with the worries and anxieties of life. How easy it is to get distracted with the entertainments and recreations of life. How easy it is even to get distracted with the daily practicalities of “working” for Jesus that we lose sight of Jesus, His Word, His mind, His way.

The difficult thing is when we are in a boat and drift too far from shore, we have a very visible clue that it has happened. We can drift from Jesus and never even know it. That is why the author of Hebrews is writing. He is a voice from the shoreline shouting to the drifting sailors. This is why it is important not only to be in the Word consistently ourselves, but to surround ourselves with people who will shout from the shoreline if we drift.

With all that in mind, thanks for reading the Word with us every day. Let’s help each other keep our eyes on Jesus.

Tomorrow’s reading is Hebrews 2.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Through what means are Christians tempted to suddenly abandon the Lord?
3. Through what means are Christians distracted so that they drift away without even realizing it?
4. What advice would you give to help us avoid either of the above scenarios staying faithful to Jesus?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?