In need of confidence and encouragement, I opened my Bible to continue reading Isaiah…
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name, Immanuel (English Standard Version, Isa. 7:14).
Immanuel means “God is with us” and when we say to people that God is “with” them it gives assurance that God is guiding and helping them to fulfill their calling (Isa. 7:14, ESV Study Note).
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6).
Faith includes belief in God’s existence and especially in God’s trustworthiness to keep His promise to reward His followers (Heb. 11:6, ESV Study).
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 (Heb. 4:16).
The encouragment to “draw near” to God implies that Christians have the privilege of a personal relationship with God. Confidence indicates that Christians may come before God and speak plainly and honestly, yet reverently, without fear that they will incur shame or punishment by doing so (Heb. 4:16, ESV Study Note).
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised (Heb. 10: 35-36).
…the author encourages continuing confidence; exercise endurance by practicing God’s will with the goal of inheriting the promised salvation (Heb. 10:35-36, ESV Study Note).
…but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a Son, and we are His house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and firm to the end (Heb. 3:6).
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 (Heb 4:16).
Confidence in access to God is based upon Christ’s saving work on the cross, it is only by His blood…(Heb. 10:19, ESV Study Note).
Redemption Through the Blood of Christ: But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established (Heb. 9:11-16)
God bless you with special revelation as you read His inspired Word!
This is all I’ve got but this is all we need! All glory be to God alone!!
Our Heavenly Prize 