Let Us Be Thankful
Date: November 7, 2024
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
B - Bible Verse in NIV (Hebrews 12:28-29) "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unshakeable kingdom. Help us to grasp the magnitude of what we've received through Christ. Fill us with genuine gratitude that leads to true worship. May we approach You with proper reverence and awe, remembering both Your love and Your holiness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
E - Explore the History and meaning The writer of Hebrews was addressing believers who were facing persecution and considering returning to their old religious ways. These verses come after a comparison between Mount Sinai (representing the old covenant) and Mount Zion (representing the new covenant). The emphasis is on responding appropriately to the incredible gift of being part of God's unshakeable kingdom.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
"Kingdom that cannot be shaken" - Eternal, secure inheritance in Christ
"Reverence and awe" - Proper attitude in approaching God
"Consuming fire" - God's holy, purifying nature
S - Summarize and Share Sometimes we need to be reminded of just how incredible our inheritance in Christ really is. The writer of Hebrews tells us we're receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken - isn't that amazing? In a world where everything seems uncertain, we have something absolutely solid to stand on.
Think about that phrase "cannot be shaken." No economic downturn can shake it. No political upheaval can disturb it. No personal crisis can destroy it. This kingdom we're part of is as secure as God Himself.
And how should we respond to such an incredible gift? With gratitude! Not just a quick "thank you," but with deep thanksgiving that leads us to worship. It's like the writer is saying, "Look at what you've been given! How can you not be thankful?"
But there's something else here that's really important. We're called to worship God "acceptably with reverence and awe." You see, sometimes we can get so comfortable with God's love that we forget His holiness. The writer reminds us that our God is also "a consuming fire."
This doesn't mean we should be afraid to approach God. Rather, it means we should approach Him with proper respect and wonder. It's about finding that beautiful balance between knowing we're deeply loved and remembering we're in the presence of the Holy One.
When we grasp both these truths - that we have an unshakeable inheritance and that we serve a holy God - it changes how we live. Our gratitude becomes deeper. Our worship becomes more meaningful. Our faith becomes more anchored.
So today, let's take a moment to really consider what we've been given. Let's let our hearts overflow with thanksgiving. And let's worship our God with both joy and reverence, remembering that we serve a God who is both loving Father and consuming fire.
3 Bible Cross References:
Psalm 99:1-3
Isaiah 33:14-16
Deuteronomy 4:24
Question for the audience: How does knowing you're part of an unshakeable kingdom change how you face life's challenges? Share a word of encouragement in the comments!