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Intention

To anchor our soul through full assurance of hope in Jesus.

Scripture

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realise the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not become dull, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

– Hebrews 6.11f LSB

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and confirmed and one which enters within the veil, where a forerunner has entered for us—Jesus, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

– Hebrews 6:19f LSB

Reflection

Particularly at this time of the year when we come together to pray for the nations, the accuser attacks me. “You’re not an effective intercessor.” “Your fasting is abysmal.” “No one recognises your ministry.” “You are isolated.” “Your stammering makes you unintelligible.” “Even your unbelieving family thinks you’ve lost it.” “Your neighbours are not falling over themselves to come to Christ.”

Why are we prone to self-deprecation or doubt? Always willing to believe the lies the devil throws at us?

Without positive encouragement and affirmation, we risk viewing ourselves as incapable or stupid. Such thinking can be stifling and even paralysing.

But the author of Hebrews wants nothing of that. He calls us “beloved” (Heb 6:9) as he reminds us that God is not unrighteous. He will not forget our work and the love that we have shown to Him and His saints (Heb 6:10). He sees our hearts. He hears our prayers. He has designed that our prayers and our witness are effective.

Having affirmed his readers, the author gives them “strong encouragement” (Heb 6:11) to diligently attain the “full assurance of hope” (Heb 6:11). This full assurance of hope acts as an “anchor” for our soul (Heb 6:19). Having put it so clearly, we can see why the author so strongly desires his readers to press on and achieve this hope.

Full assurance acts as a catalyst that sets our hearts immovably on Christ Jesus. A ‘catalyst’, within a chemical equation, sets firm a desired end product. This full assurance in God’s faithfulness to His promises is the catalyst that sets firm in our hearts this eternal hope.

Full assurance of hope means we will hold firm to the utter end. As a result, pressures from circumstances, thoughts, or even from Satan will not succeed.

But when hope deteriorates, our diligence can waver.

So, what destroys hope? Three things:

• Fatigue distorts perception, and makes mountains out of molehills.
• Lack of results leads to a lack of confidence in our effectiveness.
• Doubt of victory makes us want to give up. If we don’t win, what’s the point?

Under these conditions, our diligence can easily stumble. As a result, we may even fall exhausted and forsake the goal.

This is why our teacher in Hebrews is so passionate in his desires that we, as believers, continue diligently to come to a full assurance of hope and understand what victory Christ has already won and will win!

Video

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us Jesus, our High Priest, who is able to save forever those who draw near to You through Him.

Thank You that all Your promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’. Thank You that You are faithful and all Your promises are true. Thank You that we can be fully assured of this hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Pour out Your Holy Spirit to not only teach us about this hope wrought for us, but also to empower us, and live within and through us, to the glory of Your kingdom. Amen.

Author Bio

Vincent is a Naturopathic Practitioner in Lismore. Born in Kenya, Vincent encountered Jesus in Grahamstown through the ministry of the late Archbishop Bill Burnett. He studied at the United Faculty of Theology in Melbourne as a candidate for the ministry of the new Uniting Church.

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