Summer of Depth Devotional Day 57

Welcome to Day 57 of our Summer of Depth Devotional and Reading Plan.

There are things about ourselves we'd rather not see too clearly.

A motive we'd rather explain away. A resentment we've learned to live with. A habit we keep making excuses for. Sometimes we know something is there, but looking at it honestly feels uncomfortable.

Yesterday, we prayed one of the prayers from Sunday: “God, speak into my real life.” Today, Hebrews shows us why we can actually be brave enough to pray that.

Let's dive deep into His Word.

Before anything else, slow down and read: Hebrews 4:12-16.

We spent some time in the first part of this passage last week. Hebrews tells us that God's Word is “living and active.” It reaches beneath the surface and exposes the thoughts and intentions of our hearts.

But this time, keep reading.

Because immediately after telling us that nothing is hidden from God, Hebrews starts talking about Jesus.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses...”

That's an important connection. The God who sees everything happening inside of you is also the God who invites you to come near.

Scripture may reveal something you'd rather avoid. It might expose pride underneath an argument, fear underneath your need for control, or selfishness underneath a decision you've already justified. But when God's Word reveals what's really there, we don't find Jesus waiting to humiliate us.

We find a “High Priest” who knows our weakness and invites us to “approach God's throne of grace with confidence.”

That's what makes honesty with God possible. You see, in Jesus’ time, the high priest represented the people before God, and Hebrews says Jesus now fills that role perfectly…In other words, Jesus makes it so that we can go to God without any fear of shame and condemnation. No matter what, we can go to Him.

We don't have to clean ourselves up before opening Scripture. We don't have to pretend we're doing better than we are. We can bring our actual anger, temptation, doubt, jealousy, fear, exhaustion, and sin into the presence of God and allow His Word to speak directly into it.

As Pastor Joe reminded us Sunday, God doesn't transform the person we're pretending to be. He desires our authentic self.

And when we bring that real person to Him, Hebrews says we find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.

Reflection:

Is there something in your real life you've been hesitant to bring honestly before God?

Don't hide it today. Name it before Him, then slowly read Hebrews 4:15-16 again.

Jesus, here is what's really happening in me. Meet me here with Your truth, mercy, and grace.