No One Greater

We live in interesting, often disturbing times. In my city of Ottawa, Canada, we have witnessed an unsettling and often astounding protest in our downtown core by truckers and their supporters, loudly demanding freedom from all pandemic restrictions. The past years have seen much hardship for local businesses, employees, health care facilities, and those waiting for surgery and health care. Winter has been hard in Ottawa, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. Our churches have been closed, then reopened, but restricted in attendance. Many ask: Will we make it through? Is God really there to help us? Will life ever go back to normal?

We aren't the only people in history to ask questions of God, to lose heart, to consider walking away from the faith. The writer to the Hebrews counselled his readers to look to God Who promised to bless His people and Who came through for them, because "it is impossible for God to lie".

Hebrews 6:13-20 – For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order to Melchizedek. (NKJV)

What amazing promises! God certainly came through for Abraham, with a son and a nation, going so far as guaranteeing the promises based on Himself, One Who never changes, never lies, never departs. What a strong assurance that we have, that He is the harbour of safety for His people, easily in reach to all with no one ever turned away.

The ship's anchor was a common and ancient symbol of hope, and Scripture creates a picture of our lives, our ships, anchored to Someone firm, even when we don't see Him, even in the stormiest of seas. Our hope in God is anchoring us to ride out the present storm, and then to keep sailing on, hoping in the One Who guards us and never changes. This wonderful hope leads us into the very presence of God, which we are promised, because Jesus Himself went ahead of us and guaranteed the way. Peace and security were the opposite of what ancient Christians faced, and seems the opposite of what people in Ottawa face, but we can all follow Jesus with confidence into God's presence and know that His promises will be kept, based on His own great character.

People in all our communities also face uncertainty and despair in these days, but I pray that a personal hope in our great and awesome God will be an encouragement and light to each one. Let us base our hope on the unchanging character of God, when everything else around us seems to change constantly.

Prayer: Dear Lord, our faith is based on nothing less than You, and there is no one greater. When world events rock our faith and make us question our decision to follow You, may we remember Your unchanging character and promises. Amen.

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