Journey On

The book of Hebrews ends with lots for us to do.

Hebrews 13 (7)

Introduction
Priorities for the life of faith fill up this concluding chapter of Hebrews. Having overwhelmed his first readers with the superiority and excellence of Jesus and the New Covenant, the writer now calls them to journey on with all the saints toward the City to Come, and he highlights the priorities to keep in mind and practice as we run our race together.

Read and meditate on Psalm 125.

Read Hebrews 13.

Think it through.
1.  Make a list of all the cohortatives (“let us”) and imperatives in this chapter. How much of your daily life do these encompass? In which of these do you need to improve? How can looking to and considering Jesus (Heb. 2.9; 3.1; 12.2, 3) for each of these areas help to “make you complete in every good work to do His will”? 

2.  Are your understanding and vision of the City to Come (v. 14) as clear and compelling as they should be? Where would you look in Scripture to flesh that vision out more completely? How can focusing on the City to Come help you keep moving forward in the face of trials, temptations, and other obstacles?

Meditate.
“So let us despise things of this life and look forward to those that are stable and permanent.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466AD)

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22.17

Heavenly Father, help me to set my mind on the things that are above, where Jesus is seated in the heavenly place, so that I…

Pray Psalm 125.
Pray for all believers today, all who are citizens and ambassadors with you in the City to Come. Let the psalm guide your thanks, praise, and intercessions.

Psalm 125.1-5 (St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
Like the hills surrounding safe Jerusalem, 
Christ surrounds His Church and holds her in His mighty Hand!
Refrain, v. 1
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!

Wickedness shall rest not on this holy land; 
Sinfulness shall never come forth from their hand.  
Trusting in the Savior, firm in His caress, 
Ever shall His favor on this holy city rest. 
Refrain

Lord, do good and care for those upright in heart. 
All who turn to evil shall from You depart. 
Sinful men may increase; send them, Lord, to hell!
Save Your people, let your peace abound in Israel!
Refrain

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press).