Back in December, Jennifer and I were discussing following the example of our new Senior Co-Campus Pastor James Powell and his wife Brittany and coming up with a word for 2020 that we felt best described the year ahead and what we believed God was going to do in us and through us! I felt impressed to use the word “breakthrough” and Jen wanted the word “new normal”! First, I reminded Jen, that “new normal” was two words and that we needed to pick one. Then, I asked her what that meant to her.

As she shared about the significance of the words “new normal” to her, she talked about how 2020 was going to be different year for us as we prepare to launch Zach into the world and became empty-nesters! Yes, we haven’t shared this publicly much, but Zach graduates Rocklin High School this year and has plans to go to Bodenseehof Bible College in Germany this fall! So yes, 2020 was going to be a new normal for us. I understood her, but still argued that “new normal” was two words. We agreed to disagree, and she choose “new normal” and I choose “breakthrough”.

Well, welcome to the year of the “new normal”! In the first three months of 2020, we have had the threat of war, an impeachment trial and now are sheltered in place for the next 30 days! Yes, Jen had it right!

And as we experience this “new normal,” there are so many differing voices out there on how to respond to what is happening in our world right now. On any given day you get a barrage of information from social media, politicians, the medical community, and the media. Not to mention the lies of the enemy, who is throwing things at us to evoke fear and anxiety!

So who do we listen to in times like these? Well as I was considering this, I recalled a moment in my life, over seven years ago, when we first moved to Roseville! We had just bought a new Honda Accord in Orange County before moving to the area, and the dealership had called me to let me know that my car was due for service. I thanked them for calling, mentioned that I had moved and told them I would contact my local Honda dealer for service. However, when I called the local dealer, they told me that my car didn’t need to be brought in for another 3,500 miles, as my car had synthetic oil.

Perplexed, I told Jennifer about the differing view points and asked her who I should listen to. And in all of her wisdom, she reminded me of that little booklet that sits in the glove box of the car, and suggested that I read it, because she thought it might have the answer to my question, directly from the manufacturer of the car! Again, Jen had it right!

Aren’t we just like that in times of uncertainty? We run to Google, we call a friend, we read articles, we research, we listen to podcasts, when instead we need to turn to our owners manual, the Bible! God has given us His Word to be our anchor, to be our guide, to be our blueprint for living! But, like I did with the Honda, we listen to the other voices, instead of the voice of the One who made us and promises to be with us!

This is what God tells us in Hebrews 6:17-20, Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

In considering this text, I believe that there are three things that God wants to remind us in this season…

First, God’s nature is unchanging! God is still on the throne! Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He is the alpha and the omega! He hasn’t changed. And even though our circumstances have changed, His character and nature have not! He is still ALL knowing! ALL powerful! He is the ALWAYS present one!

God loves you! He is near. He is for you! Why is this important to understand? Because as Daniel 11:32 tell us, those who know their God will display strength will display strength and take action. Do you want to display strength and take action? Then spend time learning and getting to know Him! Read your Bible! Invest time hearing it, reading it, studying it, memorizing and meditating on it! It is our source of strength. It is our blueprint for living!

Second, it is impossible for God to lie! This means His promises are true! As Hebrews 6 tells us, He has promised and confirmed it with an oath! Not only is God our way maker, but he is our promise keeper! Throughout the Bible there are so many stories of God’s faithfulness. He’s always keeps His promises in His timing. Remember that the same God in the stories of the Bible, is the same one who is right there with you. He’ll do the same for you every time.

Can I be honest with you for a minute? I have a grid by which a person’s promises go through depending on who promises it! If my teenage son promises to do something for me, I believe he will do it about 85% of the time. However, if my wife promises me something, I trust her about 100% of the time. And then there are others I say, “I am not going to hold my breath on that!” But as Paul states in 2 Corinthians 1:20, For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. God’s promises are our HOPE! Let’s claim them, because God is not a liar!

Finally, our hope is secure, because Jesus has gone before us! This is what the text says, We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. Jesus is our forerunner, who has gone before us, and made a way to know and be with God for all eternity! And as our forerunner, our future is secure and guaranteed. Jesus has gone ahead to we can anchor in the fact that He is unchanging, His promises are sure, and therefore we can stand firm and secure because he has gone before us!

You see the writer of Hebrews was writing to new Hebrew believers who wanted to go back to some stinking thinking. Back to the old ways of doing things – under the law. There were some other voices they were listening to. And the writer of Hebrews is saying, Jesus is greater than the high priests, the angels, the law! And because Jesus is greater, our hope is firm and secure!

So who do I listen to? I choose to listen to Jesus!

Why? Because, we have a certain God! We know the end of the story!

Let’s hold onto that HOPE!