In Isaiah and Hebrews today we have some heart stirring verses.  Isaiah says to the Almighty, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in you” [ Ch. 26 v.3]  One can live surrounded by confusion, as Paul often did, but still have peace of mind. Isaiah writes of the ideal attitude, “My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you” [v.9].  He looks ahead to when God takes action against the evil in the world. There will be an ultimate time when this happens!  

Of that time the LORD says, “Come my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.  For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity” [v.20,21]   Those who God regards as “my people” will be prayerfully waiting and maybe in a sense “hiding” as they wait for his deliverance – maybe an angelic one – because they have “drawn near to him with a true heart in full assurance of faith” as we further read today in Hebrews 10 v.22. 

This letter continues, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful” [v.23].  These words would have served a purpose in all the calamities that surrounded Jerusalem in AD67-70 and they have been just as meaningful in many situations for fully faithful believers ever since!  His advice continues, “Let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day of God’s ultimate judgements drawing near.” [v.24,25]

That encouragement is followed by a warning to those who have “outraged the spirit of grace” [v.29] who may be inclined to accept the philosophy of some churches of ‘once saved, always saved’ regardless of how you lived after your conversion. The words (quoted from Habakkuk) in v.37,38 seem so appropriate to conditions in the world today, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and not delay, but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

    By our concept of time he has delayed, but the signs are multiplying that man’s “time” is almost at an end – and our eternal future depends on us using ‘our time’ now by keeping our mind stayed on our Lord. 

We live in a world where “conscience” is rarely mentioned.  If someone is accused of wrong doing, they usually do their utmost to dodge around the accusations and imply they are “innocent” – if they have to admit anything, they resort to saying something was  ‘inappropriate’ – never that they told a lie!  This is especially the case with politicians.  This approach to the issues of life should never apply to true followers of Christ; when they truly examine their hearts and minds they will be genuinely conscious of their failings. 

Our readings in the letter to the Hebrews puts all this into a balanced perspective. We read of the failures of those who lived under the Law of Moses and offered “the blood of goats and bulls … for the purification of the flesh’. But note the comparison with those who are committed to following Christ!  We read,  “How much more will the blood of Christ , who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” [Ch. 9 v.13,14]

The next verse tell us about Christ; “… he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance …”  What a wonderful picture unfolds as we see references to the “mediation” work of Jesus  in Ch. 8 that “the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises” [v.6] and quotes Jeremiah 31 v.31-34  in the verses which follow (8 to12) to show how all this was revealed in the Old Testament. Note particularly the prediction in v.10, “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God…”   What an active conscience that creates!

Another contrast is drawn between the Old and New covenants to show the difference between the Priests in the old tabernacle with its Most Holy Place and the situation now – where “Christ has entered … into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf” [9 v.24]. Now note the conclusion; “ … so Christ , having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” [v.28] 

If we have developed a real heartfelt relationship with him we will have an urgent sense of “eagerly waiting” for him – that will become ever greater as we see this world disintegrating more and more into chaos.

We continue to read the book of Joshua (a name which is the same as ‘Jesus’ and means ‘Saviour’) and we see Joshua urging of the nation, now in their promised land, to go and take possession and settle in the area of the land that had been allotted to them. Five of the tribes had done this, but today’s chapter 18 shows how Joshua now had to urge the remaining seven, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?” [v.3] They responded to this urging, “So the men arose and went.” [v.8]

There is a comparison with this in our Hebrews reading today. The message is “and we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” [6 v.11,12] 

We live in a world that shows a lot of impatience and anxiety – and there is less and less hope about the future.  Jesus in his final sermon forecast that when “…the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled … there will be signs … on the earth distress of nations with perplexity … people fainting with fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world.” [Luke 21 v.24-26]

Let us make sure we possess “the full assurance of hope” as this world falls apart.  Our reading in Isaiah (Ch.24) ended on a triumphant note – of the time when “the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and his glory will be before his elders.” [v.23]

But before that, note v.20, “the earth staggers like a drunken man … its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls ….”   We see this as a fitting description of how our world is staggering today. Its transgression of the ways of God are causing it to fall apart.   Let us not “put off” developing the faith and the patience and the earnestness, and a sense of “full assurance” – for, said Jesus, “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” [Mark 13 v.13] and will then be ready to inherit the wonder of what God has promised.

Continuing our reading of Hebrews, we notice more of its many quotations from the Old Testament.  Many of these quotations contain that significant little word “IF” !  The major theme is that the readers should learn from the failures of the past and not make the same mistakes, but will “hear” what is written.  

In chapter 3 v.4 we read that “the builder of all things is God.”  We sometimes refer to God as the Master Architect – and so he is – for he planned all things from the beginning of the world, but he is also “the builder” who is carrying out his plan, a builder who looks for those with the vision to work together with him in its construction (see 2 Cor.6 v.1).  Paul saw himself as God’s “skilled master builder” [1 Cor.3 v.10]  

Where is skill needed?  It is needed allowing for the freewill of human nature and fitting that into the overall planning.  Remember the ‘Crisis Conference’ in Jerusalem that we read about earlier this month?  It was James who summed up their deliberations by quoting the prophet Amos that “the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes things known from of old.” [Acts 15 v.17,18]

God makes known some of the details of his architectural plan.  Twice in Hebrews Ch. 3 [v.7,15] and again in Ch. 4 v.7 words from Psalm 95 are quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice” is quoted 3 times!   David, in this Psalm, was awake to the voice of God, especially the lessons to be learnt from the past failures of his nation under Moses and Joshua that we have recently been reading.  David had a particular failure later in his life but he learnt that God is merciful to those who have a genuine God fearing attitude – he had this far more than nearly every other man or woman. What an inspiration his Psalms often provide for us.

The Master builder is looking to shape us and make us part of his building.  We read that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” [Heb.4 v.12]  Jesus is the living word, “the word made flesh” [John 1 v.14] so that God could speak to us through Him.  We have God’s words in our hands; if we use them rightly they are an unlimited source of ‘power’ for our minds as we serve him as part of his building.

However as we read his word it is vital we have an active conscience to enable what we read to operate in our minds to provoke us into being fully conscious of all that God is – and all that we can become – because of the reality of our relationship with him. Note how Hebrews 4 concludes; we can “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.  May we do that every day.

  Today we started to read the letter to the Hebrews.  It does not tell us who wrote it.  It may well of been Paul; at the very end (13 v.23) it comments that “our brother Timothy has been released” – was Paul still alive then?  

     One early tradition is that Barnabas wrote it, but it is not important to know for sure who wrote it.  It contains valuable testimony to the value of God’s words in the Old Testament, and includes many quotations from the Psalms and how they foretold what God would accomplish. 

The opening two verses set this out very plainly, “… God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things.”  In Old Testament times God sent messages through prophets such as Isaiah which we are presently reading; but prior to that he used angels, as with Abraham and Jacob.  The role of the prophets and “men of God” (eg. Samuel) came into prominence when the nation of Israel began functioning. 

In verses 10 & 11 we have reference to the earth and the heavens, but not in a literal sense!  The sense here is of people (earth) and their rulers (heavens) and a contrast is drawn between them and the permanence of God’s son through whom he has now spoken and his vital role in God’s purpose.  We read that the original “earth” and “heavens” that “they will perish, but you (his Son v.8) remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed.  But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”   Turn up Psalm 102 and you will see these words are taken from v.25-27 and that v.28 says, “the children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.”

Children and offspring?  God has been seeking to rear those ever since New Testament days, those who feed on God’s word!  Our world has become like a worn out garment, ready to be rolled up and discarded by God!  Finally we noted how Hebrews Ch. 2 starts, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Coming to v. 3 we see it is a straightforward personal question for us. “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”  We all should know the answer to that question!

Today we read Paul’s shortest letter, a unique personal message between one brother and another – and it teaches us one particular valuable lesson. Philemon is a special associate of Paul, he calls him, “our beloved fellow worker” [v.1] and says, “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” [v.4-6] How wonderful if all believers could write to each other in such terms in “the sharing of (their) faith.”

The cause of the letter is that a slave, Onesimus, who ran away from Philemon had been converted to Christ and had become “useful” to Paul who is suffering “imprisonment for the gospel” [v.13].  The name Onesimus means ‘Useful.’ Paul has decided he should send him back to Philemon “no longer as a slave (bondservant), but more than a slave, as a beloved brother”[v.16]. 

Paul writes, “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account” [v.18]  Paul means his ‘spiritual’ account, for Philemon himself is indebted to Paul  for his hope of eternal life.  Paul is anticipating a positive response from Philemon, so he says, “Yes brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.” [v.20,21]

What an example to us!   All genuine committed believers should take every opportunity to say to each other with real expectation of response, “Refresh my heart in Christ” and to remember one another in their prayers.

 Five times we find this phrase in today’s chapter in Isaiah (19); each of them has either a latter day or an even later application.  They are quite specific; there is nothing vague about them.  In Isaiah’s time Egypt was still a major power and was contending with Assyria for influence and control in the world, but long before the time of Christ it had become a minor power, its glory had faded.  

Egypt’s collapse became complete when it was overrun by the Moslems in the 7^th Century A.D.  We noted verse 4 where we read, “and I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a hard master”.  Then in v.16-17 we encounter the first of the “in that day” passages.  This has been fulfilled in my lifetime!   We read “In that day the Egyptians will be like women and tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them.  And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians … “  Never before have the Egyptians been afraid of the Jews! This was especially evident in 1967.

But how remarkable is the next “in that day” [v.18]!  It looks into the future, it is about “five cities in the land of Egypt that … swear allegiance to the LORD of hosts” – time alone will reveal exactly how that applies. “In that day” [v.19] there will be a place of worship, “an altar to the LORD” in Egypt.  The vision is expanded, “the LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the LORD.” [v.22].  

The fourth occurrence of “in that day” tells us there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria”  (Assyria’s area today comprises Iraq and western Iran) and, the highway will be a factor so that both nations “will worship” [v.23]   This is clearly a scene of the world wide kingdom of God when it is established with its capital in Jerusalem, as we read in Isaiah 2 v.1-4.  The final verse is a fascinating climax, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” Can we imagine this?  This is surely picturing the resurrected God fearing peoples of these nations, which would include Nebuchadnezzar in view of what we read of his words in Daniel 4 v.1-3, 34-37.. 

This will be a time when the “Blessed” of whom Jesus spoke will indeed experience a time of endless wonder– “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”  [Matthew 5 v.5,6]  May we develop such a “hunger” and relationship with God now, that we will experience the wonder of life on earth “in that day”

Several prophecies in Isaiah attracted our attention in our readings today. Damascus was the capital of Syria in those days – and still is today.  We recall reading in the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE that Damascus is the oldest most continuously inhabited city in the world and there is no evidence that it was ever destroyed like other cities; every other city that archaeologists have explored have suffered past destructions and rebuilding on the ruins. 

But Isaiah is caused by God to write, “An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins” [Ch.17 v.1]  The fulfilment of this prophecy is still to take place, it could be that it is

not that far distant! 

In reading parts of Isaiah we saw that some of the chapters should be broken into smaller sections; after all the division into chapters was made when the Bible was first printed.  As you read you can see where the different revelations the prophet received suddenly change. Often we have the phrase, “In that day” to indicate some distinct events to occur at a particular time.  Verse 9 starts with “in that day” and from there to the end of the chapter it describes “a day” (meaning ‘time’) when the enemies of Israel are judged. We read, “this is the portion of those who loot us, and the lot of those who plunder us.” [v.14] and while it had an application in the past, it surely has a final application, quite likely at the same time that Damascus becomes “a heap of ruins.”

Verse 3 is about a time in the future when “the remnant of Syria will be like the glory of the children of Israel, declares the LORD of hosts.” Syria is linked with Assyria and tomorrow’s chapter (19) ends with a intriguing picture (in v.23) of a highway to be built “in that day” – the final verses telling us, “In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance”

This is the time of the resurrection when the faithful of all nations will be there – for surely over the millennia there have been a good number in Egypt and Assyria (which includes Babylon) who have known and served the true God.  Are you living so that you will be there “on that day”?.

 “But understand this,” that is how our reading in 2 Timothy Chapter 3 starts; Paul’s thoughts flow on from the previous chapter.  Chapter 3 is familiar to most as a chapter often used at talks about “the last days”.  The chapter brings out two particular points.  It states in the first verse that there will be times of stress, when life is perilous “in the last days” and second, that “all scripture is breathed out (inspired) by God” and is therefore “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” [v.17] and makes us “wise for salvation” and that Timothy has had the benefit of being acquainted with them from childhood [v.15] as we commented yesterday.

This shows the primary reason why we should read the Bible every day.  The Bible reading system most use is invaluable for it is not wise to only read the parts we find interesting.  We need a balanced meal.

Looking back again at the first verse, we see it is a flow on of thought from Chapter 2, (men have put in the chapter breaks).  Paul is primarily talking about the attitude among believers in the last days!  Although it also applies to some extent to the world at large, it is believers who will be “lovers of self … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” [v.2,5]  While we can point to much evidence of this among the main churches and the bad press they often receive, it is vital we keep focussed on our own hearts and attitudes. The reality that we are “lovers of God” must become evident in all our thoughts and, as a result, will show in all the things we do.

The warning “the time is coming” is again put very frankly in the 4^th chapter, a time when “people will not endure sound teaching … and turn away from listening to the truth …” [v.3-4]   Finally, Paul completes his last letter by saying he is aware he is about to die.  How wonderfully he spells out his conviction of the future in store for him in verses 7 and 8; “I have fought the good fight … I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to …”   To you?  To me?  Let us keep the faith and make sure we are “lovers of God.”

 The final letter of the Apostle Paul was his second letter to Timothy.  His opening verses after his usual greeting is to write of Timothy’s faith.  Note how he expresses it, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” [Ch.1 v.5]  We know nothing of his father, except he was a Greek, although his mother was a Jewess (Acts 16 v.1).

What a lesson this is of the valuable role of women in their commitment to Christ and the inspiration they can give to children and grandchildren, we know well the commitment that was obviously in the women who went to the tomb on the morning of the resurrection. 

In the next verse Paul writes, “For this reason (your faith) I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” [v.6].  A “sincere faith” is an essential ingredient in any abilities we naturally have.  In those days abilities or gifts were given by Apostles such as Paul.  His first letter to the Corinthians illustrates the range of such abilities, many of which we would see as “natural” – such as wisdom and knowledge (1 Cor. 12 v.8] Paul desires “especially that you may prophesy.” [14 v.1] which means, to reveal  God’s attitude and purpose, not necessarily to predict the future – this is evident in the Old Testament prophets such as Jeremiah.  Today God’s word should “fan into flame” our desire to use our various abilities to work for our Lord.

Back in the letter to Timothy we noted the next 2 verses (7 & 8) “for God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self control.  Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord …”  In so many countries in the world the message of Christ is now held in low regard, so it is now more necessary than ever to develop this spirit of strength of mind to enhance our “sincere faith” and follow in the footsteps of Timothy.  

How would someone who knows you well write about your faith?