Read Hebrews 2:1-4
Now the Preacher, how I’ll refer to the writer of Hebrews, takes our focus off the majesty of Jesus to give us a warning about own lives. Maybe you can recall a time in your life when you felt far from Jesus? The evil one lures us to drift away from God. Being reminded of that is so helpful.
We experience daily attacks from the evil one attempting to take control of our lives and make us forget about God. The Preacher gives us two paths to take to keep ourselves on track. We need to “listen for God” and “look for God” every day.
“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” There are answers, promises, and directions for life within the pages of Scripture. We must cling to that truth as we live our lives. The world will offer us many options contrary to what we learn in God’s word. If we haven’t armed ourselves with the truth, how will we recognize the lies?
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to understand the truths of Scripture. As believers, we have been given access to the Holy Spirit. The discernment and power offered by asking for the Spirit’s help should allow you to see the Bible in a whole new way. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 puts it: “If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” As believers, we are set apart because we trust the Holy Spirit to illuminate God’s message for us.
Getting to know Jesus and how he lived his life is another way we can arm ourselves to keep from slipping. That takes intention on our part. Jesus has revealed himself in the words of Scripture, and the Old Testament points to him over and over again.
The more time we spend in God’s word, the stronger we can stand against the world. John 1:14 says, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” If Jesus is the Word, he is also the truth. John 14:6 says, “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”
We have been warned to arm ourselves with Jesus by looking and listening. Jesus’ own prayer for us in John 17:17 says, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” Jesus knew we would need to have a guide to connect us with wisdom. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
The Preacher also told us to look for God. “God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.”How do we look for God when he is not visible? Yet, He is there. Everywhere. He will reveal himself, but we need to be looking.
As you may know, when I see God at work, I call these events “God sightings.” What are some of the God sightings you’ve had in the last 24 hours? A stunning sunset. A hummingbird hovering in the garden. A stranger’s smile. An open parking spot close to the door when it’s freezing outside. Those are small scale examples while you wait to experience the great miracles and signs this verse suggests.
The Preacher also reminds us about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In addition to power and discernment, what comes to mind for you when you think about gifts the Holy Spirit has given you? Have you embraced the gifts you have been given? How are you using those gifts to glorify God so that others can see him, too?
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for how you gifted me. Help me do a better job of using my gifts to glorify you and draw others to you. I trust you to help me stay strong so I don’t drift away from you again. Stir in me the desire to read your word and give me the discernment to understand the message you have for me. Continue to guide me and refresh me to be a better servant for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
