Feb 21 2022

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

In this verse, the writer of Hebrews is quoting from Psalm 118, which reminds us that the Lord is our helper and that because He is in control of everything, we needn't fear what other people might do to us. As we break down this verse, we're going to think about two specific points: the difference between God and man, and how that difference changes the way we respond to adversity.

Let's think about the differences between God and man—differences that are mind-boggling. God is perfect in every way. His moral perfections are unchanging and uncompromised. He could not possibly be any better because He is already perfect. He does not have to strive for moral perfection because He embodies moral perfection. People, on the other hand, are far from perfect. We are born into sin and cannot achieve perfection even after we have surrendered our lives to Christ. Unlike God, whom we know is good and is working out of love, we humans are often besotted with unclear and selfish motivations.

The Lord is also all-powerful. Whatever He wants, whatever He wills, whatever pleases Him, He can do without exerting any effort. There is nothing He cannot do. Humans, however, are nowhere near all-powerful. We have plenty of inabilities to control even ourselves. In terms of power, God is so far ahead of us it is inconceivable.

Everything that God does is perfect and good, and He can do anything. People, on the other hand, are not good unless we're in God and what power we do have is very limited. Obviously, the contrasts between God and man are simply overwhelming.

The writer of Hebrews knew all this about God, so he had no fear of what people might do to him. He knew they could do nothing without permission from the Lord, and even if he faced something terrible, he knew God was good and was with him. Today, we can have the same confidence in the Lord, which means we also reject any fears of what others may do to us.

Dear Lord, I thank you for your goodness and power. I am so grateful that the most powerful being that exists is also perfectly good. I do not know where I would be without your goodness, and I am so grateful that I can rest in you forever. Help me to remember who you are instead of being afraid of people and what they might do. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.

Feb 20 2022

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. :

In this verse, Jesus is in the synagogue at Capernaum telling the Jews who are questioning His identity that whoever believes in Him has eternal life. He tells them that He is the Messiah and that He offers them salvation. They did not understand His words, but those words ring true to us today. We'll break down this verse to understand it better.

Jesus begins his statement with the words "verily, verily." He was trying to emphasize the truth of His words as well as their importance. If the Jews hadn't been paying attention before, they should lend Him their ears now because this is the crux of His message.

Jesus qualifies His next words by narrowing His audience: "he that believeth on me." He was saying that His words were for those who believe in Him. Not those, like most of His listeners, who question Him in an attempt to prove His words false and catch Him in an error. Believing on Jesus (or in, as we say today) means that we accept His identity as the Messiah. The one sent from the Lord to set people free from their sin.

Those who do believe, Jesus says, have "everlasting life." What does that mean? It begins with being set free from sin once and for all. Each of us, because of the work that Jesus did on the cross, has the ability to reject sin and instead live in freedom. Freedom looks like having a will that is aligned with the Lord's. We have no desire to sin because we know that what the Lord offers is so much better than the fleeting pleasures of things He hates.

Everlasting life does not begin in Heaven; it begins now.

Everlasting life also means that when our physical bodies die, we will be present with God. Although we physically die, our souls will remain part of the Kingdom of the Lord. We will remain forever in His grip and in His love. This is, truly, life everlasting.

Dear Lord, I thank you so much for your kindness and goodness. Thank you for the mercy you show me day after day. I thank you for everlasting life — it never ends and it has set me free. Thank you for your love, Jesus, and for your everlasting grace. In your name, amen.


Add to Favorites

← View Last Verse View Next Verse →