Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”
When we lived in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, we would go fishing in our Lund boat. When you found your fishing spot on the lake, it was necessary to throw out the anchor not to drift away from your chosen fishing position on the lake. David Guzik’s commentary states, “The writer had the drifting of a boat in mind, and such drifting happens naturally without an anchor to something solid. If we are not securely set in the truth of the supremacy of Jesus, we will drift into danger with the currents of the world, the flesh, and the devil.” There is that phrase “supremacy of Jesus” noted again, which is the lesson of chapter 1 now applied to Hebrews 2:1, and the theme throughout Hebrews.
The Greek word “drift away” meant to “flow past, glide by, when the significance is to find oneself flowing or passing by, without giving due heed to a thing, here “the things that were heard,” or perhaps the salvation of which they spoke.” W.E. Levine, An Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words. As Solomon warned his son in Proverbs 3:21, “My son, do not lose sight of these – keep sound wisdom and discretion.” Why? Because verse 19 stated, “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.” Solomon was warning his son to pay close attention to the wisdom of God. To not drift away!
As we go about our busy day, the writer of Hebrews is saying, remember to pay close attention to God’s Word and obey it. Here are two examples: Feeling discouraged? Remember Luke 4:18b, “He has sent me to proclaim . . .to set free those who are downtrodden.” Then Jesus’s words in John 16:1, “These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling.”
Reading the Scriptures is full of wisdom to keep us in the truth of Christ’s saving grace and mercy, fully anchored from drifting away. It will transform your life one day at a time. Pay close attention to hearing and reading the Word of God, which will give you provision, and protection, as you are in His presence. May Romans 8:34 (along with Hebrews 7:25) be your anchor today: “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Who indeed!
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