1 00:00:02,730 --> 00:00:04,390 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:10,230 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, a calming, 3 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 2: Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day 4 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:21,940 Speaker 2: with God's Word in your mind and on your heart. 5 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 2: Right after this short word from our sponsors, we will 6 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:41,370 Speaker 2: reflect on tonight's Scripture and From Hebrews chapter 6. Tonight's 7 00:00:41,409 --> 00:00:46,560 Speaker 2: reflection is written by Alicia Headley and read by Kyle Norman. 8 00:00:47,580 --> 00:00:54,780 Speaker 2: Hebrews chapter 6. Therefore, let us move beyond the elementary 9 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:59,370 Speaker 2: teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity. not 10 00:00:59,430 --> 00:01:02,870 Speaker 2: laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead 11 00:01:02,910 --> 00:01:07,530 Speaker 2: to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rights, 12 00:01:07,590 --> 00:01:10,910 Speaker 2: delaying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and 13 00:01:10,950 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 2: eternal judgment, and, God permitting, we will do so. It 14 00:01:16,380 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 2: is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who 15 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:22,420 Speaker 2: have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the 16 00:01:22,459 --> 00:01:25,660 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word 17 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:28,980 Speaker 2: of God and the powers of the coming age, and 18 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 2: who have fallen away to be brought back to repentance. 19 00:01:33,180 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 2: To their loss, they are crucifying the Son of God 20 00:01:36,060 --> 00:01:41,780 Speaker 2: all over again, and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land 21 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,560 Speaker 2: that drinks in the rain, often falling on it, and 22 00:01:44,580 --> 00:01:47,210 Speaker 2: that produces a crop useful to those for whom it 23 00:01:47,290 --> 00:01:51,190 Speaker 2: is farmed, receives the blessing of God. But land that 24 00:01:51,230 --> 00:01:54,830 Speaker 2: produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and is in danger 25 00:01:54,870 --> 00:01:57,670 Speaker 2: of being cursed. In the end it will be burned, 26 00:01:59,420 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 2: Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are 27 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 2: convinced of better things in your case, the things that 28 00:02:06,060 --> 00:02:10,540 Speaker 2: have to do with salvation. God is not unjust. He 29 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 2: will not forget your work and the love that you 30 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:15,580 Speaker 2: have shown him as you have helped his people and 31 00:02:15,620 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 2: continue to help them. We want each of you to 32 00:02:19,260 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 2: show this same diligence to the very end, so that 33 00:02:23,060 --> 00:02:26,700 Speaker 2: what you hope for may be fully realized. We do 34 00:02:26,740 --> 00:02:29,500 Speaker 2: not want you to become lazy or but to imitate 35 00:02:29,590 --> 00:02:33,829 Speaker 2: those who, through faith and patience, inherit what has been promised. 36 00:02:35,450 --> 00:02:38,590 Speaker 2: When God made this promise to Abraham, since there was 37 00:02:38,650 --> 00:02:41,230 Speaker 2: no one greater for him to swear by, he swore 38 00:02:41,270 --> 00:02:45,100 Speaker 2: by himself, saying, I will surely bless you and give 39 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:50,260 Speaker 2: you many descendants. And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received 40 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:54,740 Speaker 2: what was promised. People swear by someone greater than themselves, 41 00:02:55,380 --> 00:02:58,410 Speaker 2: and the oath confirms what is said. and puts an 42 00:02:58,570 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 2: end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the 43 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:07,100 Speaker 2: unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs 44 00:03:07,419 --> 00:03:10,540 Speaker 2: of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. 45 00:03:11,620 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 2: God did this so that by two unchangeable things in 46 00:03:15,380 --> 00:03:18,530 Speaker 2: which it is impossible for God to lie, we who 47 00:03:18,570 --> 00:03:20,910 Speaker 2: have fled to take hold of the hope set before 48 00:03:21,010 --> 00:03:25,889 Speaker 2: us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as 49 00:03:25,930 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 2: an anchor for the soul firm and secure. It enters 50 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 2: the inner sanctuary behind the curtain where our forerunner, Jesus, 51 00:03:35,060 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 2: has entered on our behalf. He has become a high 52 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:48,010 Speaker 2: priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. Some days just 53 00:03:48,070 --> 00:03:51,970 Speaker 2: feel heavier than others. Maybe today didn't go the way 54 00:03:52,010 --> 00:03:56,470 Speaker 2: you hoped. Maybe you received disappointing news Maybe this is 55 00:03:56,550 --> 00:03:59,830 Speaker 2: another day where you had to watch someone else receive 56 00:03:59,870 --> 00:04:03,030 Speaker 2: the very thing that you've been praying for. You find 57 00:04:03,060 --> 00:04:06,940 Speaker 2: yourself asking, God, why is this so hard? Why is 58 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:10,580 Speaker 2: this so unfair? It seems like others have it so 59 00:04:10,660 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 2: much easier. That's where you are tonight. I want you 60 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 2: to know that you're not alone. For years, bedtime was 61 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,580 Speaker 2: often the hardest part of my day. It was when 62 00:04:22,620 --> 00:04:26,950 Speaker 2: the distractions of the day faded. and the uncertainty grew louder. 63 00:04:28,050 --> 00:04:32,830 Speaker 2: After another negative pregnancy test or another heartbreaking loss, I'd 64 00:04:32,850 --> 00:04:36,790 Speaker 2: lie awake wondering why becoming a mom seemed so effortless 65 00:04:37,170 --> 00:04:41,659 Speaker 2: for everybody else, while our story felt marked by waiting 66 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:46,260 Speaker 2: in disappointment after disappointment. It all felt heavy, and if 67 00:04:46,300 --> 00:04:51,140 Speaker 2: I'm honest, felt so unfair and cruel, as if we 68 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:55,600 Speaker 2: were the only ones forgotten. Looking back now, I know 69 00:04:55,680 --> 00:05:00,180 Speaker 2: God wasn't absent. He wasn't ignoring my prayers, and He 70 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:06,279 Speaker 2: certainly wasn't finished writing my story. Hebrews 6 has become 71 00:05:06,339 --> 00:05:09,500 Speaker 2: one of my favorite chapters because it reminds us that 72 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:13,420 Speaker 2: our hope has never been built on circumstances. It has 73 00:05:13,460 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 2: always been built on the character of God. For the 74 00:05:17,010 --> 00:05:20,169 Speaker 2: past several years, I was so focused on the outcome 75 00:05:20,250 --> 00:05:23,430 Speaker 2: of our circumstances that that it took my focus off 76 00:05:23,490 --> 00:05:28,010 Speaker 2: God himself. Earlier in the chapter, we are reminded that 77 00:05:28,050 --> 00:05:32,940 Speaker 2: God cannot lie. His promises are trustworthy because he is trustworthy. 78 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:38,099 Speaker 2: He is a promise keeper God. And then in verse 19, 79 00:05:38,100 --> 00:05:41,020 Speaker 2: we are given one of the most comforting pictures in 80 00:05:41,140 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 2: all of scripture. This hope is a strong and trustworthy 81 00:05:45,500 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 2: anchor for our souls. An anchor doesn't stop the storms 82 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:55,430 Speaker 2: from coming God didn't remove every heartbreak or answer every 83 00:05:55,510 --> 00:05:59,690 Speaker 2: prayer when I wanted him to. Instead, he anchored my 84 00:05:59,790 --> 00:06:04,390 Speaker 2: soul so disappointment wouldn't pull me away from him. While 85 00:06:04,450 --> 00:06:07,460 Speaker 2: I thought he was silent, he was strengthening my faith. 86 00:06:08,180 --> 00:06:11,140 Speaker 2: While I questioned his timing, he was preparing me for 87 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:16,380 Speaker 2: blessings I couldn't yet imagine. I was becoming a woman 88 00:06:16,420 --> 00:06:19,870 Speaker 2: of faith in the storm because he anchored my soul 89 00:06:19,990 --> 00:06:23,659 Speaker 2: in him and in him alone. not in the outcome. 90 00:06:25,820 --> 00:06:28,700 Speaker 2: Maybe your season of heaviness or feeling of things being 91 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:33,190 Speaker 2: unfair looks different than mine. Maybe you're praying for healing, 92 00:06:33,910 --> 00:06:38,790 Speaker 2: restoration in your marriage, financial provision, a prodigal child, or 93 00:06:38,830 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 2: simply for tomorrow to feel lighter than today. Whatever you're 94 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:48,940 Speaker 2: carrying tonight, don't let today's circumstances discern what you believe 95 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:54,150 Speaker 2: about God's character. Although our circumstances might change, God never does. 96 00:06:54,890 --> 00:06:58,380 Speaker 2: He is faithful. He is still good, and His plans 97 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 2: are for our good, even if they don't feel good 98 00:07:01,700 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 2: right now. He is a promise-keeper God, and in the 99 00:07:05,660 --> 00:07:08,640 Speaker 2: midst of the storms of life, this is when we 100 00:07:08,700 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 2: need to cling to and anchor ourselves in Him more 101 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 2: than ever. So be encouraged that the same God who 102 00:07:16,700 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 2: carried me through years of waiting is carrying you tonight. 103 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 2: Before you close your eyes, rest in this truth. Your 104 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:29,220 Speaker 2: hope isn't anchored in what happened today. It's anchored in 105 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 2: the God who has never failed you and never will. 106 00:07:38,130 --> 00:07:41,930 Speaker 2: Dear Father, as I end this day, I come before 107 00:07:41,970 --> 00:07:45,130 Speaker 2: you with an honest heart. You know the burdens I've 108 00:07:45,150 --> 00:07:48,790 Speaker 2: been carrying, the disappointments I've tried to purse through, and 109 00:07:48,810 --> 00:07:52,010 Speaker 2: the questions that I have. Thank you that I don't 110 00:07:52,050 --> 00:07:54,970 Speaker 2: have to pretend with you. You already know my heart, 111 00:07:55,930 --> 00:07:59,310 Speaker 2: and you lovingly invite me to bring every fear, every tear, 112 00:07:59,910 --> 00:08:05,220 Speaker 2: every unanswered prayer into your presence. Lord, I know what 113 00:08:05,260 --> 00:08:07,660 Speaker 2: it feels like to wait. I know what it feels 114 00:08:07,700 --> 00:08:11,180 Speaker 2: like to wonder why the answer hasn't come yet. Thank 115 00:08:11,220 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 2: you for reminding me, through my own story, that even 116 00:08:15,460 --> 00:08:19,590 Speaker 2: when I couldn't see you working, you never stopped. not 117 00:08:19,670 --> 00:08:23,460 Speaker 2: even for a single second. Every prayer was heard, every 118 00:08:23,540 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 2: tear was seen, every moment of waiting was held in 119 00:08:26,900 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 2: your hands. Tonight, I pray for the person whose heart 120 00:08:31,660 --> 00:08:35,059 Speaker 2: feels heavy. Remind them that you have not forgotten them. 121 00:08:35,620 --> 00:08:38,530 Speaker 2: Strengthen them when they feel weary. Comfort them when they 122 00:08:38,550 --> 00:08:41,950 Speaker 2: feel discouraged. And anchor their heart in the hope that 123 00:08:42,050 --> 00:08:45,530 Speaker 2: only you can give. Help them trust that your timing 124 00:08:45,590 --> 00:08:48,679 Speaker 2: is never late and your plans are always good. even 125 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:51,020 Speaker 2: when life feels unfair and it doesn't feel good in 126 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 2: the moment. So as I lay down to sleep, I 127 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:59,080 Speaker 2: surrender everything that I cannot control. I release my timeline, 128 00:08:59,220 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 2: my expectations, and my fears into your faithful hands. Fill 129 00:09:03,450 --> 00:09:06,890 Speaker 2: my heart with your presence and quiet my anxious thoughts. 130 00:09:07,850 --> 00:09:11,250 Speaker 2: Help me to awake tomorrow with renewed hope, knowing that 131 00:09:11,270 --> 00:09:14,290 Speaker 2: the God who held me today will still be holding 132 00:09:14,330 --> 00:09:18,570 Speaker 2: me tomorrow. Thank you for being my anchor through every storm. 133 00:09:19,380 --> 00:09:20,270 Speaker 2: In Jesus' name. 134 00:09:21,570 --> 00:09:21,970 Speaker 1: Amen. 135 00:09:23,870 --> 00:09:27,230 Speaker 2: How did tonight's scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts 136 00:09:27,690 --> 00:09:30,030 Speaker 2: in the Your Nightly Scripture Forum discussion. 137 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture 138 00:09:44,460 --> 00:09:48,729 Speaker 1: was read from the new international version by Biblica, all 139 00:09:48,809 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 1: rights reserved. If tonight's episode blessed you, be sure to 140 00:09:55,580 --> 00:09:52,270 Speaker 1: follow the show on Apple Podcasts so your next Thank you, 141 00:09:52,340 --> 00:09:53,699 Speaker 1: and we'll see you tomorrow night. 142 00:10:27,250 --> 00:10:27,660 Speaker 2: Thank you.