18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
Have you ever told the truth and not been believed? I am not talking about believing the one truth in the middle of a life of lies, but a truth that was consistent with your history of truth-telling. Some people have trouble believing what God says, and so the LORD made it easier by confirming what He said with a promise and an oath. He did this so that we can have confidence in our journey of faith. These Jewish believers had left the safety of the Jewish community and ventured into the community of Jesus-followers. They were rejected by their old community and suffered persecution. They needed some encouragement in the middle of their suffering. They needed to be reminded that the LORD is faithful. He will keep His Word. It is easy to get discouraged when someone you love is lying to you. Even when you confront them with hard evidence they run to the lies. The LORD will never lie to you. You can trust His Word. If you feel like an outsider, rejected and alone, remember the hope we have in Him. He will rescue us. He will keep us safe. Our bodies will die, but we will be kept safe. Even when persecution comes, the LORD will keep us safe. They may torture our bodies, but they can’t touch us. Be encouraged!
The Arnold Journey 