3rd Contrast: Temporary Blessings and Eternal Blessings (Heb. 9:15)

SPIRITUAL DIARY

 

                                                                                                            Date:  04-21-03

 

My Worship Time      Focus:  3^rd contrast:  Temporary blessings & Eternal blessings

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  Hebrews 9:15

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”  (NASB)  “That is why he is the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them.  For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins that they committed under that first covenant.  (NLT) 

            I am using the sub-headings from Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s book, “Be Confident” in these last few spiritual diaries.  In this one Dr. Wiersbe writes about the physical blessings that the people of the old covenant would receive and compares them to the eternal blessings that those in the new covenant would receive on that basis of Christ’s work on the cross and His continued work for us in heaven by his intercession for us as our Great High Priest.

            I want to go to the last part of this verse and talk about the part that says, “ those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”  This is the same calling that God gives to those in the New Covenant and it is the effectual call and it always is related to salvation, and in this context refers to OT believers.  The way that I understand this is that God called people in the OT for salvation and their sins were covered by the blood of the sacrifices given on the Day of Atonement, looking forward to the coming of Christ who, when He died fully paid for and took away their sins.  Christ death paid for all the sins committed including those in the OT and those in the NT that have been and will be committed. 

 

            2.  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This verse amazes me at the awesomeness of God, and His grace and mercy that He shows to man because of His great love for man.  It shows me the ingeniousness of God; how He planned salvation for those He called to it.  I must admit that there are times when I struggle with this and I believe that Satan whispers in my ear that “God is not far,” and I must remember that it is impossible for God to do any wrong, for that would be against His character.

 

The Word of God was challenging to me and also refreshing to me as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  It seems that I always have issues with IBS, and today is no exception, so I must again put my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as my sympathetic High Priest to give me the grace to get through this day, and not only get through it but to have a successful day in the Lord today.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 40:9-11, 1John 4:18

 

9.      I have proclaimed glade tidings of righteousness in the great congregation: Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, Thou knowest.

10.  I have not hidden Thy righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation; I have not concealed Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth from the great congregation. 

11.  Thou O LORD, will not withhold Thy compassion from me; Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth will continually preserve me.

 

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.