Tag: Assurance

Draw Near With and From the Heart

This morning I was led to the book of Hebrews and reminded of a sermon series titled, “Jesus is Better”. This was the series that was being delivered when I first began my dedication to studying God’s Word and sharing my learning through my writing.

“19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:19 – 22 (ESV)

In the verses above I was reminded that “Jesus is Better” in that He gave all of Himself in death for me. He provided the way for me to commune directly with Him and not through another. That He is the High Priest. And that I have the opportunity to draw near to Him because of it.

Here is the catch, cause as we all know there is always a catch. I come and draw near to Jesus from my heart. Not with platitudes or sayings for the world to see and hear. Not just showing up on Sunday mornings or at Christmas and Easter. Not simply through my words. But I draw near to Jesus our LORD with and from my heart that is filled with Him and where I am led by the Holy Spirit.

The title of the passage in my ESV Bible where I am in this morning is “The Full Assurance of Faith”. Not the temporary assurance. Not the assurance for now, but the “full” assurance. I know in my heart and from my heart that Jesus died in my place and that because of that, I have the chance to draw near to Him. In that chance, I am assured that He is there when I come. I know without a doubt that He is waiting for me. I am confident that He is their waiting for me with His arms wide ready to comfort and protect me from any and all. I draw near to Him with and from my heart. Jesus is Better than any and all that came before or come after.

How are you coming to Jesus? Are you coming to Him from the surface of your life? What if you were to look in your heart and find the one who is better, Jesus, and draw near to Him with and from your heart?

Lost Even When in the Right Place

Reading God’s Word is so revealing. I am in Isaiah this morning as I begin a study on the word “lost”.

“5And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” – Isaiah 6:5 (ESV)

Here, Isaiah is describing his vision of the Lord. He is in the temple looking up at the Lord on the throne. And yet, his words indicate that he is lost.

I know that I have felt similar in certain situations. I knew exactly where I was, yet was not confident in whether or not I was or belonged there in the first place. It was not until I reached out to confess my confusion and lack of confidence that I was assured to be. Isaiah asked. Okay, it was more of a statement aloud. He made it known that he was not sure that he was supposed to be there or even belonged.

“6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’” – Isaiah 6:6-7 (ESV)

Isaiah spoke out to confess. This confession was was heard and action was taken to let him know that he did indeed belong.

As noted, I have experienced this sense of being lost myself and it was not until I confessed was it confirmed that I was. I am positive that it happens on the regular in our houses of worship. There are those who come to visit, looking for something and end up leaving without confirmation that they have found it. Either it comes from us as the congregation not embracing those who are visiting or from the pulpit with the seemingly vilification of us all as sinners. More can and should be done to help others as they are likely feeling lost.

It is not a good feeling to be lost, especially when I am in the right place. I may not know exactly why I am there, but there is a reason and frankly I am looking for it. I may not have the confidence to confess, and therefor it is up to someone to draw me in with an assuring word or action, just as the seraphim from the vision of Isaiah taking action to acknowledge and assure him of his rightful place there.

What are your feelings when you are out in the world? Are lost where you are or know of those who might be? What if you called out in confession of your being lost or were the one to take action of assurance to those who might be?