Dig Deeper:
WHO'S HOLDING ON TO WHO? One of the biggest hallmarks of Reformed theology is that God is sovereign (in control) in every aspect of our salvation: He chose us before time, He regenerated (made new) our hearts and gave us faith, and He will preserve us until Christ returns. But so far in Hebrews, it seems that everything is up to us: yesterday we were told to pay attention, lest we drift away (2:1), and today we are twice told that salvation is ours "if indeed we hold firmly" (v6, 14). But the author to Hebrews is not suggesting that preserving in salvation totally depends upon your ability; if that were the case, nobody would be able to hang on. What he means is that we are not passive participants in the process: we are expected to put forth effort and endurance as we wait for our salvation to be made complete. However, as we will see throughout the book, the strength it takes to hang on is completely provided by God as He works in us through the Holy Spirit.
HOLD ON BY FIXING YOUR THOUGHTS: I like the way the NIV translates v1: we are to fix our thoughts on Jesus (see other translations). This is one of the key tools the Holy Spirit enables you with in order to hold on. This is a skill that take practice and discipline. Consider Jesus as the lighthouse in the picture above. As you go through the day, keep your bearings by not losing sight of Him, no matter how rough the waves get.
THE OPPOSITE OF STAYING FIXED IS WANDERING: In chapter 1, Jesus was shown to be superior to the angels, and now in chapter 3, He is shown to be superior to Moses, one of the greatest patriarchs of Israel and a synonym for God's Law (since Moses wrote it down in the first five books of the Bible). Moses and the Israelites are a perfect example of what can quickly happen when you do not keep your mind fixed upon Christ; you will quickly lose sight of God & salvation and end up wandering around in a Spiritual wilderness.
Prayer Tips:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God is the builder of everything (v4)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to help you 'see to it that you do not have a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.' (v12)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
