Day 91 "A Hope That Is Firm And Secure" (Hebrews: Chapter 6)

On May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building opened its doors to the public.

Rising 1,250 feet from the street, 1454 if you include the antenna, this iconic building still stands majestically high above the surrounding area for all to plainly see. Hailed as the tallest building in the world from 1931-1972, it houses 73 elevators and so many businesses that it has its own zip code: 10118. A household name, the majority of people would instantly recognize this popularly visited building. Can you imagine how this building stood out at the time it was

built?

Which leads me into the concept of hope.

Hope: to cherish a desire with anticipation; to want something to happen or be true; to desire with expectation or belief in the fulfillment of; to expect with confidence; someone or something on which hopes are centered. Now, you might be asking, "What on earth does the Empire State Building have to do with hope?" Good question! As I look at the picture of the Empire State Building, standing out in the middle of Manhattan, I see it as a landmark for all to see, visual from numerous areas of Manhattan and beyond. In the same way, Jesus stands out as our hope in the midst of all our trials, hardships, difficulties that we may encounter as we go though this life. He is the one to whom we can seek out to help lift us out of our despair and adversities, to shine a light of possibility when our own eyes see only the darkness. Jesus is our hope, now, and for things yet to come.

Hebrews: Chapter 6

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity,"

Hebrews 6:1

"We are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation."

Hebrews 6:9

"Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument." Hebrews 6:16

"When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater to him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.'" Hebrews 6:13

"Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath." Hebrews 6:17

"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encour- aged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:18-19

"It (our hope) enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf." Hebrews 6:19-20

"He (Jesus) has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Hebrews 6:20

Key verses for me:

"When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater to him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.'" Hebrews 6:13

"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encour- aged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:18-19

There has been a number of times in my life when I have found peace and rest within my soul despite being in the midst of despair and hardships. My confidence is in the unconditional love God has for me, each one of us, and in the hope and expectation of things yet to com, as stated by Jesus, himself.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you." John 14:1-2

"In his name the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 21:12

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received form God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

"But this happened that we might no rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us." 2 Corinthians 1:9-10

As we close out today's blog, may this hymn wash over you soul with God's love and grace and restore your anxious heart with His peace and joy.

My hope is built on nothing less

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

chorus

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; In Him, my righteousness, alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

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"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people," Ephesian 1:18

In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)