God is Greater Than…
The other day, I heard someone say that March will mark two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wow! It is crazy to believe that this pandemic has caused so much chaos, loss, and damage, and it seems to be the topic of many conversations. Regardless of this, I think we, as God’s people, have been able to see His purpose and plan through it all. As we head into this new year, I have begun reading Hebrews. Every time I read through it, God reveals Himself more and more to me: Hebrews speaks to His greatness! Even though He is omnipotent, He has also purposefully made Christ as His son to be lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:9-11) and like us with an understanding of our feelings and thoughts (Hebrews 2:17-18). He is greater than any trial, but He is also greater than our temptations and, because he truly understands us, He also knows how to help us avoid the things of this world.
Because of Jesus’ death on the cross and God’s ultimate sacrifice, we can have a relationship with God without a priest, prophet, or mediator. As just a few people mentioned in Hebrews, Moses, Joshua, and Aaron were all influential individuals sent by God to lead His people. The book of Hebrews taught those who looked up to these men of faith that they were still imperfect beings, and to instead look to Jesus as the ultimate example of righteousness. We know that this is still true today! His sacrifice and covenant are built on a firmer foundation and a greater promise than the Old Covenant to give us a new, more fulfilling life. We can cling to Him in a more sure way when we appreciate this fact. God is greater than any situation we may face in this coming year.
While it may seem like the struggles of this world will never end, we have a God who is even greater, and He will truly never leave us nor forsake us. All we must do is love and serve Him. For some, that may sound difficult, but when you fully submit and cling to His overwhelming love and plan for your life, it becomes more and more evident over time that a day without Him is certainly a day wasted. We may be happy to leave some things in 2021, but Lord help us to continue to proudly put You first in 2022 and in every year that follows! If, during the year, you find yourself fearful or worrying that 2022 will be difficult, like 2020 too, remember who is in control and devote sincere time with Him.
I also encourage you to read through Hebrews. Here's encouraging scripture and my hope for us all, including those who may not know Jesus today: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:19-25).
- Sis. Caroline Smith
