Wednesday June 28, 2023

Today is Wednesday, June 28 and we are studying what the Bible says about security.

I begin a new day prioritizing what is most important – my relationship with God. I quiet my mind and center myself in the presence of the One who loves me – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, guide my steps on this pilgrim journey. Teach me how to make progress in the life of Christian maturity, persevering in the faith and growing in holiness of heart and life. Amen.

As a new day dawns, I praise God and rejoice with the words of Psalm 59.

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. Psalm 59:16-17

Pause and Pray

The author of the book of Hebrews writes in an attempt to explain the gospel of Jesus Christ to a predominantly Jewish audience. The author repeatedly compares Jesus to the sacred items of the Old Testament – the sacrifices, the priesthood and the tabernacle. Jesus is repeatedly declared better than what was before. Jesus is the high priest who enters the Holy of Holies and offers himself as an atonement for sin. Because of this, God is able to dwell with humanity and with me. God’s presence “tabernacles” with me through the power of the Holy Spirit because Jesus made a way.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19-23

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as an atonement for my sin and the cleansing waters of my baptism, I am made clean and invited to be with God. I am able to approach the presence of God with complete and utter confidence. I can accept God’s presence and look forward to residing in his companionship through the power of the Holy Spirit. I can luxuriate in the security of God’s loving, accepting and healing presence. I need never doubt God’s love or feel unworthy of his presence. Jesus’ blood was shed so that I can be united with God and enjoy his companionship.

Ask: Do I have confidence and assurance in my relationship with God through Jesus Christ? Do I experience times when I feel unworthy or times when I doubt God’s love for me?

Pause and Pray

Thank you, God, for the blood of Jesus that opened a new and living way for me through his suffering and bodily sacrifice. Jesus is the Great High Priest who cleansed my heart from guilt and sin. My body and mind are washed clean with pure water. In confidence, I draw near to you with a sincere heart and assurance of faith. I hold unswervingly to hope because I know you are faithful. I read the words from Hebrews again and listen for the message you have for me.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19-23

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

The Bible tells me that God wants to be with me. God desires to be with his people. If I doubt God’s presence, I consider why. Perhaps someone in my life who said they loved me was emotionally or physically absent. If I feel unworthy of God’s presence, I consider why. Perhaps someone in my life made me feel unlovable, unworthy or unwanted. If I feel unworthy of God’s presence because of my sinfulness, I consider why. I remember who Jesus spent time with. He sat at the table with tax collectors and sinners. He sought to spend time with them and he seeks to spend time with me. Jesus’ blood was shed for a reason – he made the way for me, even me, to dwell in God’s presence.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, remind me of the power of your precious blood. Open my eyes and reveal the places where I have believed lies – lies that tell me I am unworthy of your love, lies that tell me to doubt your presence. It is you and your blood that has made me worthy, through the grace and mercy of God I am yours and you are mine. Amen.

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

I leave this time of prayer, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. I go to tell others of his love and serve them in his name.

Amen