S – Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful

 Hebrews 10:23 CSB

O – Commentary:

This exhortation to “hold fast” is important given the opposition the readers face. Their critics insist that they return to the ritual observances practiced by other Jews in their city and compromise the absolute sufficiency of Christ.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – The commentary gives a good insight.  The book of Hebrews is written to the Jewish people.  Their opposition wasn’t just those against God but also those who didn’t believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  With hundreds of years of culture, it would be easy to revert to the traditional way of approaching God.

This is our challenge as well.  We have people who don’t believe in God and those who do but in different practices.  We must hold onto our beliefs and disciplines as God reveals them.  It is our relationship with God that will move us toward growth.

R—Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you. Thank you for the uniqueness of our relationship with you. We don’t take it for granted. Instead, we step toward you to know you more and follow your plans for us.

S – For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.

 Hebrews 10:14 CSB

O – The crucifixion on the cross and the resurrection from the tomb was the sacrifice that changed the world.  It provided the opportunity for those who believe in Him to be free from sin.

A – The cross never loses its gravity and meaning.  As believers, it is the most important act to our faith.  We should never forget the price that was paid for our freedom and relationship with God.

R – Heavenly Father, we reverence you today.  Thank you for the cross and the price that was paid on it securing the opportunity we have in our relationship with you.  We want to know you more intimately.  Reveal more of you as we yield more of us.

S – “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?”

Hebrews 9:14 CSB 

O – Commentary:

But the blood of Christ can do much more. His was a sacrifice of infinite value because through the eternal Spirit He offered Himself unblemished to God. With this lovely assertion, the writer of Hebrews involved all three Persons of the Godhead in the sacrifice of Christ, which magnifies the greatness of His redemptive offering. “Unblemished” (amōmon) fittingly describes Christ’s perfection (cf. 4:15; 7:26) for it is also used of spotless animals brought for sacrifice.

Such a great accomplishment ought to cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, but the expression “acts that lead to death” is literally “dead works” which in this context seems to refer to the Levitical rituals that, in contrast with the work of Christ, can never impart spiritual life.

“Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Old Testament rituals served for the ceremonially unclean and only made them outwardly clean. Jesus’ blood cleans us from the inside.  It is that cleansing that leads to spiritual life and relationship with God and the Holy Spirit.  The depth and power of the cross continue to unfold in our lives as we pursue God.

R – Heavenly Father, we praise and magnify your name.  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross on our behalf.  We draw into your presence, peace and power as a part of the covenant we share with you. We also surrender and yield our will so that we may align with you.

S – The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing.

Hebrews 9:8 CSB

O – Commentary:

The most holy place) had not yet been disclosed. That at least was the message the Holy Spirit intended to communicate by this arrangement. The Levitical arrangements were designed to convey the idea that the true way to God did not lie in them. What this indicates for the present time is that the Old-Covenant sacrificial system did not meet human need at its deepest level. It could not clear the conscience of the worshiper. Hence the regulations which formed part of the observant worshiper’s adherence to this system were chiefly concerned with externals which were only meant to apply until the time of the new order.

“Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The OT did not meet the need on the inside.  We still face this today.  We can do and say the right things but there has to be genuine transformation of the heart.  That comes when we have an authentic relationship with Christ.  Only He can do the work on the inside that comes through salvation and nurtured with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender our hearts to you today.  Thank you for the gifts of salvation and relationship with you through the cross.  Help us to grow in our understanding and intimacy with you.

S – The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive. 

Proverbs 27:6 CSB

O – Commentary:

An enemy (lit., “one who hates”) may seem to be a friend by his many kisses, and a true friend (lit., “one who loves”) may seem to be an enemy by the wounds he inflicts (probably inner hurts that come from being rebuked or criticized; see v. 5). Yet, ironically, the rebukes may actually be more genuine expressions of friendship.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – What constitutes a “genuine expression of friendship?”  When someone cares authentically with honesty, transparency and care.  A real friend loves you enough to bring all three qualities to the relationship.  

R—Heavenly Father, we honor and praise you today. Help us nurture authentic relationships that will accurately reflect our actions.  Please give us the courage to hear their words and continue to grow closer to you.

S – Stone is heavy and sand a burden,but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

      Proverbs 27:3 CSB

O – Commentary:

The burden of being provoked by a fool is a heavy one indeed. In fact it is heavier than a large stone and more burdensome than sand. So a wise person should not react to a fool even when the fool’s actions and words are irritating.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A—When we engage in foolish behavior or conversation, we are adding “weight” to our lives. Healthy boundaries keep us free from this burden and available for the necessary things.  

R – Heavenly Father, we honor your name today.  Give us discernment to identify unnecessary things.  Give us the courage to establish healthy boundaries to protect the things that are vital to our growth.

S – We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain

Hebrews  6:19 CSB

O – Christian hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. In the first century, an anchor was an image of stability and safety. • through the curtain: A curtain separated the outer room of the sanctuary, into which only priests could go, from the inner room, the Most Holy Place (Exod 25:10–40). Only the high priest could go into the Most Holy Place, and only once per year on the Day of Atonement.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – I Corinthians 13 tells us that three things remain – faith, hope and love.  Anita Phillips wrote, “Faith is me believing what God can do.  Hope is believing what God can do for me.”  Hope brings a personal element to our faith.  Christ brings hope to all situations and secures trust and safety.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you.  You alone are worthy of both.  Thank you for being an anchor for our souls today.  In the turbulence we face, we know that our anchor brings safety, security and peace.

S – During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered

Hebrews 5:7–8 CSB

O – Jesus experienced the journey of pain and prayer in his life.  God heard those prayers because of Jesus’ posture and approach to Him.  This is how Jesus learned obedience while he never sinned.  He wasn’t perfect in the absence of pain…he learned perfection through his. pain.

A – We are all on a journey.  Most likely, there is some form of pain in this.  We need to recognize that it is part of the process.  We cannot control some things but we can control ourselves.  We decide our posture and approach to God.  We decide to honor and obey God even amid the injury.  We choose to grow towards God in the challenge or keep ourselves distant.  Jesus modeled the way that God honors and desires.

R – Heavenly Father, we move toward you as our God.  In our pain, give us the courage to approach you in humility, honor and reverence.  You are worthy of it all.  Show us your presence, power and peace in the challenge.  We desire closer proximity with you today.

S – For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

O – Commentary:

For the Word of God is living (zōn) and active (energēs). Not only that, its penetrating power is greater than any double-edged sword and reaches the innermost being of a person so that it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. In doing this, it is able to discriminate successfully between what is spiritual in man and what is merely “soulish” or natural (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), and does so even when these often-contradictory inner elements are interwoven as closely as joints and marrow. The inner life of a Christian is often a strange mixture of motivations both genuinely spiritual and completely human. It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and to expose what is of the flesh.

“Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The Word of God has the ability to distinguish between what is human and spirit.  This is mission-critical in our walk with God.  We are human and spirit.  Having a “resource” that helps us recognize and act accordingly in both realms is a huge advantage.  The fact that it is living and active allows it to work without changing since its inception.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for the Word of God.  It is our “plumb line” in our walk with you.  It instructs, guides and brings comfort.  Help us to think, talk and act according to its instruction.  Allow it to permeate our lives so w can reflect your love to others.

S – Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession

Hebrews 3:1 CSB

O – Commentary:

And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God: Literally And so, holy brothers. Speakers and writers of the ancient world often addressed religious gatherings as “brothers,” referring to both men and women. • think carefully about this Jesus: Focusing on Jesus is a primary means of persevering in the faith (2:9; 12:1–2). • God’s messenger (literally God’s apostle): This description might be highlighting the Son’s role in bearing a proclamation of God’s name and message 

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – The commentary brings out a strong principle – “Focusing on Jesus is a primary means of persevering in the faith.”  Our relationship with Jesus is the “plumb line” for our view of God.  It determines our level of belief and is the bridge to all that God has for us.

R—Heavenly Father, you are my God. I surrender myself and my will to you alone today. Thank you for Jesus, my savior and Lord. I appreciate how he modeled your love and character and desire it for myself.  Lead me today by your Spirit in my conversations and interactions.