The Lord is good
You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Hebrews 3:13-15 NLT
From the text, the writer of Hebrews wanted the readers to remember the experience of the Israelites when they were led out by Moses from Egypt to wilderness. This reminder was repeated as quoted in Psalm 95:8, “The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness.” The reminder should be remembered as well “today.” When the Israelites experienced difficulties in the wilderness, they were overwhelmed and blamed God why they were brought out of Egypt. How they wished they could return to their old life in Egypt where they were far away from God which to them seemed to be better. Isolation can lead one to be nostalgic wishing to return from the past lifestyle. Christianity is not about feeling good about the claim of experiencing an excitement knowing Christ then suddenly to have such experience just be a part of a convenient memory. The same warning was given by the Lord Jesus Christ: “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word” (Matthew 13:20-21). As Christians, we go through times of doubt. This happens particularly when we go through times of testing and we feel that we are alone and abandoned by God. David had experienced such when his faith was tested: “I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart” (Psalm 38:8). But instead of turning away from God, David prayed to God, “You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh….For I am waiting for you, O Lord” (vv. 9, 15). Paul also went through the same experience when he felt the burden of having his “thorn in the flesh.” And just like David, Paul instead of running away from God, he prayed to God. “‘Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me’” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). True believers in Christ will not just mouth about knowing Christ and then abandon such experience now for they will, as the writer of Hebrews says, “faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed.” When we met Christ for the first time and made the decision to receive Him, we desired to grow in our relationship with Him. When we have tasted the goodness of knowing God, we will not look for anywhere else. “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103). Let us continue to grow in our relationship with God by being nourished from His word. “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness” (1 Peter 2:2-3).
Blessings,
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