ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS JUST God is righteous and holy, fair and equitable in all things. We can trust Him to always do what is right.
Psalm 75:1-3 We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.
God says, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.
When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm.
PRAISE THE GOD WHO IS JUST
Praise God that He brings justice at the right time. Praise God that He is near and nothing escapes His notice. Praise God that His justice is righteous and holy. His justice is perfect.
CONFESSION: Confess your sins to God and receive his continued mercy.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks to God for his specific blessings in our lives.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100
SUPPLICATION: Bringing our requests to God.
- Bring your personal prayer requests to God.
- Pray for Austin and Jenni. Ask God to encourage them and lead them as they serve overseas.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Hebrews 4 – English Standard Version
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
The writer warns us not to “fall short.” What is it that kept the Israelites from entering God’s rest? It was disobedience. They failed to believe. And it’s the same thing that can keep us from entering his rest. Unbelief for the believer is the refusal to act like God is telling the truth. God wants us to take him at his word wholeheartedly. Wholeheartedly is not just belief, but it’s belief plus trust! Are you wholeheartedly trusting in Christ? Maybe you’re a believer and realize you’re drifting further away from God. Those cultural voices have placed doubt and fear in your heart. Perhaps they seem to be making more sense to you right now. But are they true? Will they answer the three main worldview questions—why am I here? What’s wrong with the world? And how do we fix it? Only one answer can be true. Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life. Will you trust him? Decide today to wholeheartedly live for Christ. You can settle it today.