Friday, February 22, 2013

Morning Psalm: 40, 54 | Evening Psalm: 51
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 | Hebrews 4:11-16 | John 3:22-36

In recent days I’ve had several conversations with fellow believers discouraged by their lack of progress in the Christian faith. “It seems sometimes like I struggle with the same things that I struggled with ten years ago. Shouldn’t I be making greater progress in the faith? Shouldn’t I be more mature than I am?” I can empathize with those feelings. Some would dismiss this as being an overly moralistic view of the faith, one in need of a healthy dose of a renewed awareness of God’s grace (false guilt). That may be true in some instances. Of course, it is equally possible that what is going on is a healthy work of the Holy Spirit, a godly conviction designed to spur one on to greater pursuit of godliness (true guilt).

Whatever the cause of the symptom, the epistle to the Hebrews offers the antidote, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” Christ is our representative high priest, He has been tempted in every way just as we are. And yet, He was without sin. We should be more mature, more righteous, than we are, but Christ fulfilled all righteousness for us, so we can rest in His finished work. What is more, we are to “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). We have confidence, not in our faithfulness, but in His. Our failings drive us not to despair, but to deeper faith and trust in our great high priest who ever lives to make intercession for us.

Oh God, help us in our time of need. May we receive Your grace and mercy this day. We give thanks to You for that grace in the name of Jesus the Son of God, our great high priest who has gone through the heavens, having fulfilled all righteousness.

The Rev. Richard Herbster (DMin Candidate)
Adjunct Faculty, Greek
Pastor, Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church
Aliquippa, PA