Today’s readings.. (Judges 1), (Isaiah 30), (Hebrews 13)

The final chapter of Hebrews contains several straightforward statements which are just as much needed today – if not more so – as in the First Century. “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body (of Christ).” [v.3] We have been hearing quite a number of reports of members of the body in recent years – indeed in recent months – who live in difficult situations in a growing number of countries. How much will this spirit of intolerance spread before Christ returns?  This animosity is toward those who turn away from the beliefs around them to seek to believe in what is real and true.

The next verse says, “Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”  We are seeing increasing evidence of “free love” (as it was called when we were young).  But in the end nothing is “free” – God exacts a form of payment in judgement!  God calls marriage a “covenant;” read the message he gave through his prophet Malachi. 

“The LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth to whom you have been faithless though she is … your wife by covenant.” [2 v.14]  Real marriage is undertaken in the sight of God.  Let us beware of twisting God’s commands to try to make them different. Malachi told the people that they had “wearied the LORD … by saying, everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them” [v.17] God’s principles are being twisted more and more today!!

The next point in Hebrews is, “Keep your life free from the love of money” [v.5] and how much do most people love money today – and often borrow as much as they can to enjoy what they see as the ‘good’ things’ in life instead of having an attitude as we read in the verses which follow, “… be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”   Can you confidently say that?