**Sip Saturday is written by our Saturday morning contributor, M.H. Elrich. A beautifully gifted Christian author who seeks to honor the Trinity in her writing. She hopes that her words will encourage women to draw closer to God, whether that is through her fantasy series or her weekly devotionals.
Cornerstone Scripture:
“For some, when they had heard, did provoke: how be it not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.”
-Hebrews 3:16 KJV
“I don’t really have much of a testimony,” I said. “After all, I’ve followed Christ since I was a little girl.”
“What are you talking about?” my Bible study leader said. “That is your testimony.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You’ve lived your whole life for God,” she explained. “I didn’t. My life is full of regrets because of the sins I committed when I was your age. You don’t have that.”
“My life wasn’t perfect. I’ve messed up plenty of times.”
“Yes, but you have been blessed because of what you have done for the Lord,” she pointed out. “You have an amazing husband, and you’ve never fought a drug or alcohol addiction. Consider all the ways in which the Lord has blessed you as your testimony.”
I nodded. I had never considered how God had used me to be a testimony. After that day, my perspective changed, realizing how obedience to God leads to a joyful life. Most testimonies are the exact opposite—evidence of how miserable someone was before they met God. These are meant to show the rebellious heart that they should repent of their wicked ways before it’s too late. Otherwise, their life will be full of regrets.
That’s why the author of Hebrews is emphasizing the rebellious Israelites. First of all, his or her audience was the Jewish people, so they should know the history of their people. This reminder serves as a warning of what will happen to the audience if they choose to disobey. The testimony of the Israelites throughout the Old Testament is filled with examples of what happens with obedience and disobedience. Although the author emphasizes what happens with disobedience in this chapter, I think it’s important to consider what happened when the Israelites obeyed God.
When they listened to God and did what He asked, they flourished. Enemies were defeated (see the book of Joshua). Food and wealth were abundant (see David and Solomon’s kingdom). Even when the people were exiled for disobeying God, he still preserved a remnant and brought them back to his land once they repented (see Ezra, Esther, and Nehemiah). Throughout Scripture, the authors remind us that God makes the righteous flourish and the wicked suffer.
Does this mean that a Christian’s life is free of trials? Of course not! But their lives are abundant (John 10:10) and joyful (Romans 12:12). Ultimately, a life with Christ is not one that people regret, as my Bible study leader pointed out. Following God leads to eternal life, which is worth far more than the fleeting pleasures of this life. So, my question to you is similar to that of the author of Hebrews: will you turn and obey God? Or will you continue in your rebellion like the Israelites? Listen to his voice.
Let’s pray.
Dear Lord, please let me see ways in which you’ve blessed my life. Help me to live a life that is a testimony to your goodness. Keep me on the narrow path of obeying you. In Your Son’s name, Amen.