Courage and hope

Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.                              Heb. 3.5,6

                                                                                                                       

These words present Moses to be as a forerunner. He shows the way. He testifies to what is to come. His role is that of servant.

Then Christ comes as Son, a son over God’s house. He is the leader of the house. He is the head over the body, the body of Christ.

I am part of the house, His body. But there are requirements of me put forward by this writer. I am to hold on to courage. This is a very personal thing. Indeed, the text uses the personal adjective for this. It is my courage. It will not suffice for me to trade on the courage of another. There may be times when I am called on to display courage. This will be a challenge to my own spirit and being.

I am also required to hold to the hope that is the boast of believers. Two questions come to me here. Firstly, what is this hope? And secondly, do I truly boast of it?

The hope I have is the promise of joyful eternal life. But it is not an “out there” hope. I live this life right now. I journey with Jesus every day. He is alive and my life with Him is joyous – now! My “boasting” of this is not what some would consider as such. It is the assured confidence with which I live. I share this, willingly, with any who are responsive.

Lord Jesus,

I consider myself to be a definite part of Your house. I hold to the hope of eternity whilst I live out that hope in the present.

My life, imperfect as it is, is my “boast” in You. I love You. I live for You.                Amen.

Faithfulness

He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.                                                                                                                            Heb. 3.2

If I ask myself, “What was Jesus faithful to?” my instinctive answer is: The will of His Father. As I see it, He lived to fulfil the Father’s will for Him.

If I then ask, “What can account for the faithfulness of Moses?”, the answer is something like: He was obedient to the Word of God.

I grant that Moses was, perhaps, more apt to falter than Jesus was, but he gave himself to the best of his ability. He gave what he could, and God provided the rest.

From these reflections it is not difficult for me to distil the key to faithfulness – being attentive to God and obedient to what He might ask.

Another parallel I see in the lives of Jesus and Moses is that they took themselves apart, to a quiet place where they could focus on God, give Him their full attention, and hear what He had to say. Having heard, they were then challenged to be obedient in following through with anything He asked them to do.

The pattern is set. The examples are there for me to follow. Jesus often sought seclusion on the Mount of Olives. Moses climbed the mountain to dialogue with God. I have, at times, found myself on mountain heights where I’ve experienced wonderful communion with God. I’ve also found deep intimacy with Him in the confines of my own home. I am blessed to find Him wherever I choose to make myself available. I thank God for His grace in this.

Lord God,

I seek communion with You. I look for Your way that I might be obedient to Your will. I pray for discernment to truly hear You, and for courage to live in obedience to Your will.

                                                                                                                                    Amen.

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