HOLD STEADY
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
When we read words like 'more earnest heed,' if we don't dig a bit deeper, we can read right past the meaning. The words 'earnest heed,' when used as a nautical term, are meant to hold a ship in a direction. So, if we read this verse with that in mind, we can say, hold steady with what you have heard so you don't drift away.
Drifting away is the challenge we all must know of. Most people don't just wake up one morning and determine they are going to walk away from the Lord. Most people simply drift. They lose interest or are not as diligent with what they have been taught and wind up in a place spiritually that they never intended to be. In nautical terms, again, they drift away and wind up on the rocks wondering, how did I get here?
The writer of Hebrews reminds his Jewish readers that the word God delivered by angels was a sure word. And violating that word resulted in punishment. So how much more important is the word God delivered through His Son Jesus? The word that came through angels was important; how much more is the word that comes from God's Son? And that word that first came from Jesus was also confirmed by those who heard Him speak. These followers of Jesus spoke of the salvation that Jesus offers, and God confirmed their word by granting signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The salvation Jesus offers is even greater than what the angels delivered. This is not the salvation to walk away from.
Remember that Hebrews was written to people who were being persecuted for leaving Judaism for Jesus. So, the writer keeps giving them reasons why what Jesus offers is far better. The salvation message was given by God's own Son and the people who heard Him speak. The Holy Spirit was also working to confirm this message. So the overarching word was hold steady with what you have heard. Stay the course so you don't drift away.
APPLICATION
Most of us are not having to face the severe level of persecution that these early converts from Judaism faced. It is interesting that today, in Israel, anyone converting from Judaism to Christianity suffers some of the same persecution. Depending on how religious the background, converts to Jesus stand to lose a great deal. Often, divorce and being cut off from family is not out of the norm. A church that we support in Israel had over 300 fanatical Jews yelling, taunting, and threatening believers as they walked into church—holding steady means much more when you are facing major heat.
Today, in America, the persecution we face is on the rise but not near the level of what many believers are facing in different parts of the world. Some receive Jesus at the risk of losing their own life. In America, our need to hold steady is a result of the many distractions that come our way that would cause us to drift away from the Lord and His ways. So, we have to stay focused and diligent regarding what we have heard. We are blessed that we are not threatened with losing our life or family. But we must still hold the course; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
PRAYER
Lord, I purpose in my heart to hold steady to You and your word. On course with You is so much better than drifting away towards the rocks.