Christ Leads The Way

“But beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.” – Hebrews 6:9

Happy New Year! Thanks to everyone who helped 2018 be much better than it would have been without your kindness, compassion, and support.

I know that I’m a few days off from the official new year, but I’ve been a bit detached this past week and a bit discouraged. I figured that it’d be best to not think about anything for a while and just let my mind drift into a fantasy land of movies and video games – kind of numbed out, you know.

That doesn’t work very well. Sitting by idly and mindlessly doesn’t stop the enemy from his deceitful tactics and devious schemes to destroy the child of God. It just makes it easier for him and his workers in this world to attack (2 Peter 2: 3, 10-14). That’s why the Lord cautions us to be diligent and pray so that we might not enter into temptation (Matthew 26:41).

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” – Hebrews 6:12

If we take our eyes off of Jesus for the slightest amount of time, it’s easy to feel helpless against the raging waters of life – to get so tired and so discouraged about everything happening around and to us (Matt. 14: 22-33). Peter did it, and, sometimes, we do it too.

But we have to remember and hold tight to His promises and not give way to the devil.

“So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” – Hebrews 13:6

And we must trust in the Lord’s deliverance.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31

So, I’m resolved not to spend another day that way and, instead, arm myself daily with the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18). The fight against Satan doesn’t stop if we zone out from all the cares of life. We have to care and know that God cares and is fighting for us.

I’m so glad that He will never leave me or forsake me (Heb. 13:5). That promise from God means that you and I have to be content in whatever condition we are, because we trust that the Lord will take care of us (Phili. 4:11-13).

I know that God will take care of me. He’s taken care of me in the past, and He’s taking care of me right now. No matter how the enemy tries to hurt and destroy me, no matter what he takes from me that’s rightfully mine, and no matter how he seeks to kill my spirit, the Lord is on my side and those who are against me have already lost.

I have to remember (and, you do, too) that: the Lord is with me; He will help me; He will strengthen me, and; He will hold me up with His righteous right hand (Isaiah. 41:10).

The Lord is holding me up right now. I can’t do it without Him. I don’t want to, without Him.

So, I’m standing on His promises. And He has promised me better. He’s promised better for you, also:

1. Better things that accompany salvation (Hebrew 6:9).
2. A better covenant that is the New Testament (Heb. 7:22; 8:6).
3. A better resurrection (Heb 11:35).
4. A better country – a heavenly one (Heb. 11:16).
5. A better sacrifice – Christ Jesus (Heb 9:23).
6. A better hope (Heb. 7:19).
7. Better provisions (Heb 12:24).
8. And, a better and an enduring possession for us in heaven (Heb. 10:34).

I’m banking on better. Facing the world and all the fiery darts that it throws at us is much better to endure with Christ. Without Him, I wouldn’t survive it.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” – Psalm 118:8

Being a Christian doesn’t mean that you won’t have problems or trouble in life. It means that when they come, you can face them with the Lord Jesus at your side. And you can face them knowing that there is better to come.

“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” – Eccl. 7:8

I have a hope that is better than any other. You can have that hope – a better possession in heaven, if you believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16), put on the Lord in baptism (Gal. 3:27), confess Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10), repent of your sins (Acts 2:38), and live a faithful life of obedience in service to God (Rev. 2:10, 1 Sam. 15:22). I want that kind of better for you.

So I’m wishing you all the better things in life that Christ has to offer – this year, this month, this day, and for all eternity.

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