30 Jun July 12 – Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

GOD’S GRACE IS YOUR ONLY ANSWER  

Hebrews 12:29 “ . . . our “God is a consuming fire.”

The Children of Israel were frightened when God through fire, thunder, and lightning appeared on top of Mount Sinai.  His appearance was an awesome display of His power and might.  They begged Moses to intervene for them, to go before Yahweh and beg Him to relent.

One would think that after experiencing first-hand the awesome power of God’s presence the Children of Israel would have obeyed everyone of God’s Ten Commandments delivered to them by Moses.  It only took a matter of days and they engaged in the sin of idolatry.  They rejected Yahweh as their God and worshipped an idol of gold created by Aaron at their insistence.

God remains omnipotent!  The writer to the Hebrews describes Him as “a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)  He has said that He will render judgment against those who fail to worship Him as the one and only True God that He is.  He demands perfect obedience and has said He will deliver His wrath upon all who disobey and reject Him.  The First Commandment remains in effect, “You shall have no other gods.”

Many in the world continue to create their own gods and others simply refuse to acknowledge that God exists.  The rise in the number of atheists, agnostics and “nones” (those who reject God and have no spiritual allegiance to anyone or anything) confirms the world is becoming more and more godless.  To all who are in this camp and to those who consider joining it, the words of Hebrews 12:29 are a great warning that Yahweh will judge them and turn His almighty wrath against them.

You, only By God’s grace and mercy and His gift to you of faith in Jesus, will avoid God’s wrath.  Jesus took that wrath upon Himself on Calvary’s cross.  He suffered greatly because God placed all of His wrath meant for you upon His Son because you also in your sins turned away from Him, worshipped other gods or none at all.  Because of your faith in Jesus, you will not experience Yahweh’s wrath, judgment, and punishment.  “If the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I too have sinned greatly against you but I am sorry for my sins, repent of them and beg Your forgives for the sake of the holy suffering and death of Your beloved Son Jesus.  In His name!  Amen.

When I survey the wondrous cross On which the P:rince of Glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast Save in the death of Christ, my God;

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet Or Thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tributed far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

(LSB 426)