Wednesday 14 October 2020

Psalm 144

Background

The discussion about the authorship of Hebrews is ancient and complex. However, it is clearly one that wants to establish the continuity of God’s dealing with the Jewish people through the ages. This task matters, because at the heart of this text is hope. Hope is never about a warm sort of positive optimism, a rose-coloured reading of the present. Hope is deeper and richer. Hope is based in promise of what might be, and promise creates hope because the person who made the promise is known to have kept them. Promise needs provenance! If I were to promise to make you immensely rich, you might have grounds for doubt. If I were the CEO of a large tech company you might feel differently, if slightly curious about my motives. This “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” and earned trust through ages past, is now seen in Jesus. He has lifted the curtain not only of the Temple, but of heaven itself. Jesus is the “image of the invisible God”(Colossians 1:15). He expands, explains and repeats the ancient promises. This is reason enough for us not to “become sluggish”.

 To Ponder:

• Peter writes that we should always be ready to give an account of the hope we have. (1 Peter 3:15) What is your hope and what reason do you give for it?
• Where are you feeling sluggish in your Christian journey and how does your hope in Christ help?