Daily Devotions - Encourage One Another

Hebrews 3 (ESV)
Jesus Greater Than Moses
3 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

A Rest for the People of God
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ 11 As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

 

In what way could our church put verse 13 into practice?

 

Holy God, You have led Your people through many trying times. You demonstrated Your power and glory to the people of Isreal as Moses lead them out of Egypt, but they hardened their hearts and doubted You. You were faithful. In these times, the challenge is for us to stay faithful to You, and not to harden our hearts and doubt Your presence. Help me to hear your voice and not go astray in my heart. Help me to not live in fear and unbelief but in trust and peace. Help me to keep on trusting in spite of the assaults, the difficulties, and challenges to my faith. Your Spirit continues to speak through the scriptures today. Help me to keep my heart open enough to listen. As I read the Bible, help me to expect for Your Holy Spirit to speak to me today.  Your Spirit does not lead me to isolation but leads me to Your church. Spending time with other Christians and by encouraging each other, builds up the faith in the church community and also brings us all closer to You. There is synergy in the gathering of believers that provides strength, encouragement, and hope. It is more critical than ever for us to stay connected. Help us to encourage one another daily. Help us to comfort those who live in fear, protect those who are vulnerable, care for those who are ill, and hold each other up in prayer. Bring your people back together. Make it safe to begin gathering in Your Name to care for physical needs and to study Your Word to strengthen our Spiritual needs. We need You Lord, and we need each other.  In Your Precious Name, Amen