May 23, 2026
Saturday, May 23
How do acquire the grit we need to keep from turning away from His Church when times get tough? We draw near to Him, praying for a greater hunger for His presence, and a stronger love for His people. We embrace the hope of a better world, one where we worship alongside a church made up of every nation, race, and tribe. And we stir one another up to good deeds, recognizing that the church doesn’t exist simply to bless us, but to give us a venue for blessing others.
The last words of Hebrews 10:24 say, “…and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Worshipping God among His people isn’t less relevant now than it used to be. If anything, it’s more important. When it says “The Day,” it’s talking about Judgment Day. I have no idea when that day is coming, but this much I do know: We’re closer to that Day now than any generation of humans has ever been.
Think about the Jewish believers this book was written to. Some of them were walking away from the Church. They were returning to the old religion of sacrifices in the temple. Yet just a few years after this was written, the Roman general Titus breached the walls of Jerusalem, where a band of rebels had taken refuge. Before Titus could restrain his men, they went on a rampage, slaughtering thousands of Jews and demolishing the temple. It has never been rebuilt. Today, when you stand on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, you see two buildings: the Al-Aqsa mosque and the famous golden Islamic shrine called the Dome of the Rock.
The Church, the Bride of Christ, is the only thing on this current earth that will last forever. Don’t give your life for a temple that will someday be destroyed. Draw near to Jesus, hold fast to our hope, and encourage others to stay the course.
This great hymn reminds us that we’re all “prone to wander…prone to leave the God (we) love.” Sing along with it today, knowing God will take and seal our hearts for His courts above.
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
