Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
The opening words of this chapter are very striking. Writing in a time of persecution, the author is keen to stress the need to hold fast to the truth. He even says it's impossible for those who abandon the faith after receiving the Holy Spirit to be brought back to repentance (verse 4). This is a solemn warning that our relationship with God goes two ways: he is always faithful and keeps his covenant with us, but we have a responsibility to keep our promises too.
But even in the context of a situation where it's likely some were abandoning the faith out of fear, the author is not just concerned to see believers survive – he wants to see them thrive. 'Let us go forward, then, to mature teaching and leave behind us the first lessons of the Christian message,' he says (verse 1).
Perhaps this has lessons for today. We might be tempted to think we can only really thrive spiritually when things are 'normal' – when we can go to church or home groups when we want, meet and pray with our friends, and go about our everyday business. But that's not always been the experience of God's people. Many live in challenging situations anyway, where just getting by is a struggle, and many are persecuted. But their faith is often far deeper than those with more comfortable lives.
Hebrews reminds us that personal hardship is no reason for spiritual indifference.
God, help me to learn in difficult times. Keep my eyes fixed on you, and bring me to a mature and trusting faith.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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