The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 26:23 (NLT)
23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 103:1 (NKJV)
1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
The Word of God for encouragement:
Hebrews 1:1-4 (NKJV)
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
My observation:
Today we begin our walk through the letter to the Hebrews. From the internals of the letter we gather something about the author, but he does not mention his name. Some have identified him as Paul because of these references:
Hebrews 10:34 (NKJV)
34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
Hebrews 13:19 (NKJV)
19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Hebrews 13:23 (NKJV)
23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
Also cited to support Paul as the author is this reference by the Apostle Peter:
2 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
We may not be certain of the author, but we can be sure of the theme of the book. The author tells us in this verse.
Hebrews 6:1 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
In our focal passage the author, writing to Jewish believers, encourages them not to go back to the old ways. He points out that Jesus is superior to the prophets and the angles. Why go back to the wilderness when you have the Promised Land ahead? This chorus is stuck in my head.
"I am bound for the Promised Land,
I am bound for the Promised Land;
Oh who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the Promised Land."
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for Jesus, and for what he has done to deliver those who come to him by faith, from the bondage of sin, death, hell, and the grave. Father, I thank you that because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross at Calvary, that all of your believing children are on their way to the Promised Land. In Jesus name, Amen.
--
1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)
7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
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