UNBELIEF. Hebrews 3:19 We learn from the example of the Israelites, who failed to enter their inheritance due to their hard-hearted unbelief and unfaithful attitude toward their faithful God. Unbelievers in Christ will never experience the rest God promises to those who trust Him. They feared what lay ahead, even though God had blessed, delivered, and preserved them, performing miracles on their behalf. They saw giants instead of a conquering God. As a result, they died in unbelief. There are several lessons we can learn from the exhortations in Hebrews that relate to our response to God.
We need to "Give heed"—to earnestly pay attention [2:1], lest there be unbelief [3:12]. We must heed the teaching, the word of prophecy [2 Pet. 1:19], to yourself and the doctrine [1 Tim. 4:16], and to the ministry we have received from the Lord [Col. 4:17].
We also need to "consider"—the offices Christ holds for us [3:1]. That means paying attention, or fixing our eyes on "your ways" [Hag. 1:7], on the ravens and lilies [Lu. 12:24, 27], on the Apostle and High Priest of our profession [Heb. 3:1], on one another [Heb. 10:24], and most of all, to "consider Him" [Heb. 12:3].
We need to "Hold fast" - to God's things in consecration [3:6; 4:15], to "my righteousness I hold fast" [Job 27:6], to hold fast that which is good [1 Th. 5:21], to hold fast to the confidence [Heb. 3:16], to hold fast our profession [Heb. 4:14], and to hold fast to that which I have received [Heb. 10:23].
We need to "Hear" - God's voice and obey His Word [3:7,15; 4:7], hear His voice (Holy Spirit) [Heb. 3:7], hear His voice, harden not [Heb. 3:15], hear My voice and open the door [Rev. 3:20], hear the voice of the Son of God [Jn. 5:25].
We need to "Take heed"—watch the heart so it doesn't harden; cultivate [3:12].
We need to "Exhort"—to prevent defeat in life [3:13], lest we be hardened by deceitfulness [3:13], to earnestly contend for the faith [Jude 3], exhort young men to be honorable [Ti. 2:6], exhort by preaching the word [2Ti. 4:2], exhort in prayer [1Ti. 2:1], and exhort on how to live and please God [1Th. 4:1].
We need to have reverential fear. "Fear" - godly fear stimulates faith, motivates love, prevents failure [4:1], godly sorrow that leads to repentance [2Co.7:11], and godly fear in our service [Heb. 12:28].
REST Moses did what Moses could, but he was still a man For Israel's unbelief to be so strong is hard to understand Until I realize that faith isn't magic, it depends upon my choice Will I follow what I know is right and listen to God's voice?
It would be wrong for me to miss the lessons God intends Those things happened to Israel so that I might apprehend The ways of God with me today, not just to compare myself with them But to make sure I know how to act in situations life does send.
If I only looked around today, I would probably give up in despair. Because increasing darkness in men is seen just about everywhere Morally and spiritually, compromise seems to be what people like the best But nothing around attracts most people, or gives my spirit rest.
Even though some of God's people seem to live in fear and doubt Far be it from me to lose my joy, or on doubt's waves be tossed about Because my rest is where God does rest, His promises are "Yea and Amen." What he began in grace to do, He will bring to a glorious end.
God rested after six days of creation; in Christ's redemption, I do rest Even when in the turmoil of life, in His accomplishments I am blest I can rest in faith knowing that the end of life brings a restful, eternal day All that God thinks I need to know, I'll understand when shadows flee away.
"Loving Father, I know by observation that the decline and descent of modern society into darkness is continuing and getting more obvious day by day. My concern for this day is that both Thy servant and those to whom I speak this day will live high enough above all of this darkness that we will see people as Thou dost see them and events as they really are in Thy sight. Give me compassion for the people, faith for daily living, grace in speaking, and love for Thee, Thy word, and mankind. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."