Journal - Hope 02 - wk11

Hi everyone, it’s Pastor Dave again, back with another Alone With God daily journal guide. We are going through our Scripture By Topic list, and we are on the topic of hope. This is our second devotion in the Hope Scripture By Topic list, which you can find at wordbymail.com.

If you have an Alone With God journal, grab that, and turn it to a “Daily Journal” page for this week, and grab your Bible. And turn in your Bible to Hebrews Chapter 6 today. If you need to pause this guide to grab your Bible and a journal, be sure and do that.

Hebrews Chapter 6, verses 18-19 are verses that have special meaning for me because Hebrews 6, verse 19 was the foundation verse for Calvary Chapel Nuevo when we started the church in 2001. Because when we came to this small town, seemingly somewhat separated even from the towns around it, we felt more than anything that the people in this town of Nuevo needed hope, and that’s what led us to these verses as our foundation verses for this church.

So, look at your Bible and read with me.

Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT)
18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Look at verse 18 again. God has given us both his promise and his oath. This is God – the unchangeable, eternal God – and his promise and his oath are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. And because of that, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence, steadfast confidence, as we hold on to the hope – as we cling tightly to the hope – that lies before us. This hope that God has given us is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our soul, and it is this hope that leads us through the veil, through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary – into his inner presence – which is referring to the place where the Shekinah Glory of God dwells.

And guys, the word for “hope” – biblical hope – this is not “I hope I win the lottery” type hope. This word translated “hope” means “a confident expectation based on solid certainty.” This confident expectation based on solid certainty that God has given us in Christ is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our soul. And it is this confident expectation based on solid certainty that leads us into the Glory of God’s presence.

This hope is an anchor for our soul. This confidence that we have from God will keep us anchored through any storm, through the darkest night, and through unchartered waters. This hope is a confident expectation based on solid certainty. This hope that we have received by coming to Jesus for refuge and for salvation – this hope is an anchor for our soul. It will keep us grounded and secure if we will cling to it – if we will continue to “hold fast” to it.

Okay, now, in your MEDITATE section, simply write what these verses are saying as an act of meditation. Just write what God is saying in these verses. What is the spiritual truth jumping out at you in these verses? So, write in your MEDITATE section, and then come on back.

Now, how do these verses and the truths in them specifically apply to your life today? In what area of your life do you need to apply the truth of these verses? What is God pointing at in your heart? Where in your life do you need this rock-solid, immovable, guaranteed hope – this confident expectation that comes from the solid certainty of God? So, pause this guide, and write in your APPLY section how does this apply to your life today, personally and specifically, and then come on back.

And now, in your RESPONSE section, write what action will you take today in response to this truth. How will you respond to these verses? What will you say back to God after applying these verses to your life? What tangible response can you take to make these verses come alive and begin to transform your life? Alright, you write how you will respond and then come on back one last time.

And now, I’m just going to ask you to write your prayer to finish. I’ll pray, and then I’ll be done, and in your PRAY section, I’ll let you write your prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for these verses. Thank you that you have given us both your promise and your oath. And thank you that you are unchangeable, and it is impossible for you to lie. And thank you, Lord, that we have fled to you for refuge. And thank you that we have such a great confidence as we hold on, as we hold on, Lord, to the hope that lies before us. You have given us a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Show us, Lord, where we need to apply this truth and how you are calling us to respond to it. In your name, Jesus, amen.