²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Confident access to God gives the believer the possibility to hold unswerving confidence in God’s promises.

This is the second challenge to believers considering their privileges established by their Mighty Priest.

²³ Let us hold fast [keep on holding fast]

Previously we had the words “hold fast” (He 3:6, 14; 4:14). The idea is that Christians should have a steady disposition about God’s promise. The problem with some believers to whom Hebrews was addressed is that they were about to lose hold of the confident trust in God’s promise of the New Covenant.

the confession of our hope

The “confession” here is our trust in God’s promises, of what God eternally affords the believer. The content of our hope is our complete salvation in Christ. We hold this in the face of difficulties, doubts, and discouragements. There is no despair in “hope.”

Since believers have a confident hope, they will share with certainty the hope they have in Christ. God will use that kind of faith. The “confession” here is to maintain what is true about the finished work of Christ.

without wavering,

“Without wavering” means consistent belief in Jesus’ provisions on our behalf. Our trust in His promises should hold steadfast. This hope is steadfast and is not allured from its conviction by the enticements of another worldview.

for He [God] who promised is faithful.

God is faithful to His promises (He 6:17, 18; 11:11; 1 Co 1:9; 10:13; 1 Th 5:24; 2 Th 3:3). This is the ground of our hope and confidence—God is true to His Word. He will never fail to keep His promises. He never changes His mind after He promises something.

PRINCIPLE:

It is important to maintain full confidence in the reliability of God’s promise.

APPLICATION:

Christians today live in a culture where values constantly shift. That is why we need to “hold fast” to what is true. Fidelity in the content of God’s promises is essential to strong Christian living. There is a danger that a Christian can move into revisionism or a constant loss of trust in God’s promises for him or her.

It is important to be resolute in our faith and not bend to accommodating to cultural belief systems. The reason we can be confident is that the One who makes the promise is faithful to what He says. He is faithful and trustworthy. Our hope rests on Him and the promises in the Word. Nothing shakes the confidence of the believer rooted in the Word. The fleeting values of this culture are temporary and are there for only a moment.