Hebrews 8:6 “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
One of the oft repeated words used in the book of Hebrews is the word better. Our passage this morning speaks of how Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant, established upon better promises. In the book of Proverbs, the word better is used to describe for us God’s value system.
Proverbs 8:11 “For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Godly wisdom is far more valuable than expensive rubies, or any other gems.” Life is better and worth living when the goal is to walk in godly wisdom, instead of pursuing riches. How rich do you think the “rich young ruler” of the gospel’ is now? Seek to walk in God’s wisdom today in all that you do.
Proverbs 15:16 “Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Here is another better that describes God’s value system: it is better to fear God and have little, than have great wealth and trouble. Did you catch it, beloved? Wealth cannot prevent trouble or difficulty in life. Wealth cannot give you peace of mind. But the fear of God can and does. Fear God and be content with what He has given you today.
Proverbs 15:17 “Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” A dinner of vegetables eaten where the love of God rules the home is better than surf and turf with tension and contention. Are you seeing a pattern here dear ones? What a God deems valuable or better is not what the commercials or the ads in the Sunday paper tell us. Receive with love the little that God has given you.
Proverbs 16:32 “He that is slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Discipline is better than physical power or brute force. Might is not right. Sheer human power is admired in our fallen world. God says that a person who is disciplined by the Spirit of God is better. It takes more power to hold your tongue than speak your mind. It takes more power to change the TV station than pollute your mind with junk.
Christ came to introduce us to a better way of living. It is not natural; it is only possible by grace through faith. May you choose to walk in the better ways of God today, beloved. Don’t believe the lie of the enemy that your old life apart from Christ was better. Ecclesiastes 7:10 Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Life is better in Christ.
