Hebrews 12:14-29 – Unshakable Faith

Read Hebrews 12:14-29

Nobody wants to be left behind. I remember being left at church one Sunday. My parents had driven separate cars because we had guests. Each thought the other had taken me home with them. When the church started clearing out and I couldn’t find my family, panic set in. Cell phones were not invented yet, so I had to find a phone. It all worked out, but it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.

The author here doesn’t want these new believers (or us) to be left behind or miss out on God’s promises. He uses the example of Esau as our wake-up call. “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” The author wants to paint a picture for us of the two mounts: Mount Sinai (representing the old covenant) and Mount Zion (the new covenant).

When you picture the future of your dreams where do you see yourself? It’s so much fun to imagine what it looks like, what you’ll see, who you’ll meet, even what it smells like. The author here is painting a picture for us here in Mt. Zion. He wants us to imagine ourselves transformed in this time and place.

What do we see there? We see thousands of angels praising and worshiping. We see God. We see Jesus. We shall surely listen to what God is saying. Wisdom revealed. This is a mountain that cannot be moved. Our faith needs to be unshakable like this. “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.”

Take some time today to imagine yourself in the presence of God. Let his consuming fire ignite you.

Let’s pray. Lord, I come to you in awe once again of your mighty power and love, for your provision and mercy. I choose you and I choose to be consumed by your love for me. May I be worthy of you and able to act in the ways you want me to act. Help me to see clearly your path for me. Guide each step drawing me closer to you. Remove my feelings of fear and dread and replace them with the joy of your salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.