Today

TO READ: Hebrews 3:1-19

That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today you must listen to his voice. Don’t harden your hearts against him as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested God’s patience in the wilderness.”

Hebrews 3:7-8

Quoting Psalm 95, the writer of Hebrews pleaded twice with the Jews, “Today you must listen to his voice” (Hebrews 3:7, 15). God’s Word never changes. Like the Old Testament psalmist and the New Testament letter writer, we have only today. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is never certain. Today is what counts. Will you listen to his voice today?

“But how do I hear his voice?” you ask. We hear it first by listening to what he has already said in his Word. Daily we must expose ourselves to God’s voice through Bible reading, worship, and prayer.

Suppose, for example, that at work today your boss makes a pass at you. He’s a married man. You may feel flattered or even tempted, but as a Christian you know that the Bible is very clear on matters of fidelity in marriage. You could pass the buck by saying to yourself, “Jesus will say no for me. I can do nothing; he will do it all!” But as you wait for Jesus to say no, nothing happens. Then you discover that you have to say no —and you have to say it today, at that very moment! Once you have said no, however, the power to keep on saying no will be supplied.

Jesus expects us to be obedient, to make right moral choices, to strive to stay in his place of blessing by living holy lives. What is Jesus saying to you today? Are you listening? How must you respond today?