Daily Meditations

Hebrews 6:9 Better things This verse reads almost like an apology; the author seems to be as uncomfortable in writing the preceding verses as we are in reading them! However, he consoles himself with the conviction that the readers of his Epistle are not like those who despise the Lord and turn their back on Him. On the contrary, they are men and women who are enjoying the fruits of God’s salvation and who are ready to press forward on their journey of faith. There is even a hint here that any readers who are musing over these words and who remain unsaved, will  “be convinced of better things.”   In fact, when we think about it, has this chapter not defined fully what God’s salvation is? And what a heavenly gift basket He offers us! Once again, just like the parable of the sower and the seed, it is the Lord who takes the initiative and makes things happen. The first of His blessings is enlightenment. Just as frozen land wakes up to the warmth and light of the sun, so the ...

Hebrews 6:8 Blessing our curse? Let’s consider further the parable of the sower and the seed. Who created the ground in which plants grow? God did. Who created plants that are good for food? God did. Who sends rains and sunshine and all the conditions that make healthy plants grow? God does. Who turns a dead seed into a living plant? God does. Our role in this process, as humans, is minor and without the intervention of the Creator nothing would grow and be fruitful. However, if God does His part and the land that is sown produces only thorns and thistles, something has gone terribly wrong! It is a sign of wholesale neglect. The crop is useless, and all the effort put is has been wasted. As Jesus Himself said,  “I am the vine and you are the branches, if you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and bur...

Hebrews 6:7 The  blessing of God This verse is a parable that is written to try to throw more light on the meaning of verses 4-6. It is suggesting that there are “believers” who have received the seed of God’s Word and who have the potential to produce a crop. The gentle rain of God’s Spirit has watered the fertile ground but, nothing happens! No crop grows, no life appears, the soil is barren and lifeless, it cannot fulfil a useful purpose. However, if the opposite is true and abundant life is evident, it is a sign that God’s blessing is on the land. This is evidenced in Israel in recent years where a barren wilderness wasteland has turned into a land flowing with milk and honey. Is that because the Jews are better farmers than their predecessors or work harder or have learned new tricks for productive agriculture? No! it is because the Lord God has given them His blessing. Sadly, the majority do not recognise this. In the same way, the Lord may have blessed individuals and church...

  Hebrews 6:6 No going back! It cannot have escaped our notice that there is a deliberate contrast here in that verses 1-3 of this chapter described the six “elementary teachings” that are regarded as an essential diet for the immature. We have already considered these in depth and their importance in the instruction of young believers.   However, from verse 4, the author has been identifying the spiritual foundations of those who are mature in the faith, these characteristics are the products of a considerable time on the journey with God. Those who have matured: - 1.       Have been enlightened  2.       Have tasted the heavenly gift 3.       Have shared in the Holy Spirit 4.       Have tasted the goodness of the Word of God 5.       Have also tasted the powers of the coming age In my experience, these incredible experiences are not gained without...

Hebrews 6:5 Tasting and Seeing And so we go on; another exciting gem of evidence of the enlightenment that the Holy Spirit brings, is an appetite for the Word of God. I’ll be the first to admit that there are periods in life when reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word can be a discipline rather than a joy. The menu can seem quite mundane rather than being like a banquet. But persevere, too often the problem is our busyness and all the distractions around us; giving proper attention to God’s Word requires time, quietness and an open mind to receive what He is trying to say! This is not about theology or understanding correct doctrine, it’s about listening and digesting the words of the Lord God as taught by His Holy Spirit. If we have experienced this, there is nothing else like it, there is no other book like His Book, and no other more exciting adventure than to be on a personal journey with Him.  The final piece in this jigsaw of genuine faith is a taste of the “ goodness...

Hebrews 6:4a Tasting the heavenly gift Let’s continue to deliberate on the “impossibilities” of verse 4 shall we? The first of these is enlightenment, a goal pursued by many of the world’s religions. The Bible talks about people who walk in darkness seeing a great light (Isaiah 9:2), it also says that Israel has been spiritually blinded, that God gives men a spirit of stupor, eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear. (Romans 11:8) Jesus came to open blind eyes and set captives free! (Luke 4:18) This life-changing encounter with Him is miraculous and unforgettable, there is no going back, once we have our eyes opened everything looks different and our hearts and minds are illuminated like never before. This may start with a simple prayer of repentance but if the ”light goes on” it will become an unrelenting torrent of love and joy and it’s irreversible. It does make me wonder about some of the “professions of faith” that I have witnessed! The verse goes on to talk about tasting th...