September 4, 2020
A Better Hope, A Better Way
Elisa Pulliam
Today’s Truth
For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. . . Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God. Hebrews 7:19, 22 (NLT)
Friend to Friend
Do you feel like God is depending upon you to take care of all the needs in your family, work, church, community?
Maybe you feel like God is watching your every move, evaluating whether you’re measuring up to His standard. Maybe you think your performance matters much, even though you might not want to admit it. Maybe you’ve been duped into believing that blessings only come when you “get it right.”
But no matter how hard you try . . .
No matter how determined you are to live out the Word . . .
No matter how much you do for others . . .
It never quite feels like enough.
“All the hard” continues to come your way, pressing upon you relentlessly.
More determination doesn’t bring any relief.
More Bible study and prayer and serving doesn’t work like an insurance policy against suffering.
So, maybe you feel like you should just throw in the towel, pull out, give up, and quit “all the doing” for God.
Well, sister, I’d give you a high five if that was your decision right now.
As I’ve learned firsthand, our endless striving to find the better way isn’t going to yield the outcome we hope for on this side of heaven. It’s like spinning our wheels on a muddy dirt road. We simply run out of gas revving the engine as hard as we can, but never getting unstuck.
So how about you just stop doing and start being?
What do I mean by that? Aren’t we supposed to serve God and join Him in His work? Yes, and yes. But when our “doing” becomes a secret agenda to get the blessing, we’ve got a problem. We’re not supposed knock off the “to do” list to make God happy with us. If our “doing” strokes our ego, we’ve got another problem, too.
When God spun this world into existence, He created us for stewardship and worship and rest. Yes, there is work to be done. Yes, there are commands we must obey for our own good and God’s glory.
But our tireless efforts to “keep the law” forsakes the better covenant . . . the one in which we’re invited to embrace a no-strings-attached faith in Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. Consider this promise explained in Hebrews 7:24-25, “But because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood lasts forever. Therefore, He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”
Jesus is better.
He is the better covenant – the better agreement. Yes, this is the promise of eternity, and it ushers a better hope for the here and now. This hope is not linked to what we accomplish for God. This hope is not defined by the blessings He pours out on us. This better hope comes through drawing near to God, being present with Him, in the blessings and sufferings we will all inevitably experience this side of eternity.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for establishing the better way with a better hope and a better covenant through Jesus Christ. Forgive me, Lord, when I strive endlessly and forsake what You have already provided. Help me, Lord, to see myself and my life the way You see me. Help me embrace You more and let go of all the expectations I put upon myself.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How are you striving in your life? Trying to measure up? Perform to earn God’s blessing? What does it look like to receive the gift of better covenant established by God’s grace and love through Jesus Christ as your Lord?
More from the Girlfriends
Elisa Pulliam is a trauma-focused coach, author, podcaster, speaker, and founder of More to Be. She is passionate about helping women pursue a fresh encounter with God and align with His Word as well as equipping women to become mentors and coaches. Her free resource, PIVOT, will help you overcome the overwhelm and find hope again in God’s purposes. She delights in being Stephen’s wife for 24 years, savoring her role as mom of four treasures, and stealing away for a horseback ride whenever she can. Connect with Elisa at MoretoBe.com.
Originally published Friday, 04 September 2020.
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