Sip Saturday

Week #54 Hebrews 4:2

**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 unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

-Hebrews 4:2 KJV

“I have good news!” I exclaimed. “My best friend had her baby.”

“At last,” my other friend replied. “What’s her name?”

I shared the baby’s name and how she had miraculously been delivered . My friend rejoiced with me over the birth, and we celebrated the good news together.

When I think of the term, “good news,” I not only consider this small example, but also the words typically shared during Christmas time:

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”-Luke 2:9-11 ESV

This is the gospel that the author of Hebrews is referring to: the birth of a Savior who would save all people from their sins. This joyous news sent the shepherds scrambling to Mary’s side. Just like my joy at sharing the birth of my best friend’s baby, so, too, were the shepherds overwhelmed with happiness. After years of waiting, the Israelites would finally be rescued.

Yet, not everyone was happy about the news. As told in Matthew 2, King Herod was not pleased about the good news of Jesus’ birth. Instead of receiving it with gladness, he sent soldiers to murder every male child under two years old around Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18). He was among those who did not benefit from the message they heard. This shows that he did not have the faith he supposedly espoused to the wise men (Matthew 2:8).

On the other hand, the wise men as well as the shepherds rejoiced to find their Savior. They were not alone in hearing and receiving the good news. As Jesus began his ministry, the apostles and many others would come to follow the Savior of the World. Today, there are millions of Christians around the world eager to celebrate the good news of Jesus.

Are you as excited as the shepherds to spread the joy of the good news? Are you eager to bring whatever you have to the King of Kings, like the wise men? If you’ve been a believer for a long time like me, you may find some of that joy and enthusiasm hard to revive. You may feel like you’re spiritually empty or running on low fuel. The spark you once felt as a new believer may be barely flickering in the fireplace of your heart.

Reviving the flames of your faith may be difficult at first, but I would encourage you to seek God in the midst of whatever you’re going through. Continue to pursue him, laying out your fears, failures, sadness, anger—whatever you’re feeling at his feet. Connect with other believers who can pray and encourage you. Don’t give up. Eventually, the flame of faith will flicker again and grow into a steady furnace.

Let’s pray.

Dear Lord, please help me to be as enthusiastic about spreading your good news as the shepherds and as devoted as the wise men. Revive my spirit and renew my heart and mind so that I am on fire for you. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.

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