Hard Hearts
In many places, the Bible warns people not to “harden” their hearts (Proverbs 28:14; Ezekiel 3:7; Mark 8:17; Hebrews 3:13). Hardening our hearts means stubbornly setting ourselves against God so that we are no longer able to turn to him for forgiveness. We harden our hearts when we habitually disobey the word of God and choose our own desires instead.
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Keeping Courage
Members of God’s household are to hold firm and be courageous. The virtue of courage has an ancient history. Aristotle called courage the “golden mean” between foolhardiness and cowardice.
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Both Old and New
The Old Testament prepared the way for the future coming of the Messiah. Thus, knowing the Old Testament provides the best foundation for understanding the New Testament.
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Giving Glory
Giving Jesus glory is not as complicated or old-fashioned as it sounds. Try this:
- When blue sky breaks in the east and you feel the rush of a great day ahead, pray, “Thank you, God, because Jesus came!”
- When at bedtime you realize how much your family means to you, pray, “Thank you, God, because Jesus cares for each one of them!”
- When you have opportunity to help others, open your purse or wallet, because Jesus gives generously to you!
- When your church needs help but no one volunteers because the job is thankless and carries no prestige at all, step forward – because Jesus came forward for you!
(Life Application Bible Commentary – Hebrews; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc; 1997; p.35)
Taking the Time
How much do we think about Jesus? Hebrews tells us to fix our minds, ponder carefully, and focus on the true significance of Jesus. In our age of sound bites, fast food, and quick-fix solutions, very few people take time to think about anything or anyone.
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