“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”
(Hebrews 6:18)
Hebrews 6 reminds the believer of the unwavering promises of God and urges us to exercise both faith and patience while awaiting their fulfillment. The example of Abraham is given, who received God’s promise which He confirmed by an oath. As Paul explains, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath” (Hebrews 6:17). What Abraham received as special assurance is also given to all the heirs of promise, those believers in Christ who cling to God’s covenant mercy.
God’s word, in itself, is enough to assure His people. His word is the declaration of His will, and it accomplishes all that He decrees. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:33). Yet in tenderness toward His children’s weakness, He adds His oath, providing double assurance. These “two immutable things” (Hebrews 6:18)—His word and His oath—are unchangeable, and because “it was impossible for God to lie,” they provide strong consolation to those who have fled to Christ for refuge.[1]
This divine condescension answers the frailty of our faith. In seasons of trial, believers may doubt whether Christ truly died for them, or whether God will fulfill His promises. The world mocks, and Satan tempts with unbelief. Yet God swears by Himself, for there is none greater, and thereby silences every controversy. His oath assures that His promises cannot fail. The heirs of promise are as secure as the very throne of God.
The purpose of this oath is to both reassure and to anchor the soul. Hebrews 6:19 declares that this hope is “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast….” The believer’s hope is anchored in Christ, the great High Priest who has entered heaven on their behalf. God’s word secures the promise, and His oath secures the certainty. Together they provide unshakable grounds for faith and thanksgiving.
This double assurance also reminds believers of their privileges in Christ. Those who run to Him for refuge will never be cast out. As Psalm 17:8 prays, “Keep me as the apple of thy eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.” God guides, guards, and keeps His people, because He is faithful. Thus His oath and word bind Him, as it were, to His children, granting them certainty that He will bring them to glory.
Contemplations:
- Consolation in God’s promises. God’s promises are sure and steadfast, rooted in His unchanging nature. When He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5), I can trust that promise because it is backed by His word and oath. Like Abraham, I am called to exercise faith and patience. And even when doubts arise, I can hold fast to the anchor of God’s promises.
- Unwavering assurance in God’s word and oath. When difficulties come, I sometimes find myself questioning God’s promises. Yet His word alone is sufficient: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:33). And yet His oath further confirms it. I can flee to Him for refuge, knowing I am guarded as the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).
- The power of God’s word. God’s word created the world: “For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:9). That same word upholds the world: “Upholding all things by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3). This same power assures me that “He which hath begun a good work in You will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
- Certainty of my privileges in Christ. At times I wonder how God can save me despite my sin. Yet His oath assures me He saves all who flee to Christ for refuge. And His promises are bound by His oath and His word. This condescension to my unbelief gives me confidence that I will be guided, guarded, and brought to glory.
Prayer (thanksgiving):
O gracious and faithful God, I thank You for the immutability of Your counsel and the double assurance of Your word and oath. You have sworn by Yourself, for You could swear by none greater, and in this oath my soul finds rest. I bless You for stooping to my weakness, for knowing how prone I am to doubt, and for giving me not only Your promise but Your sworn declaration that Your word shall not fail.
I thank You for the consolation that flows from Your unchanging nature. You are not a man that You should lie, nor the son of man that You should repent. What You have spoken, You will do; what You have purposed, You will bring to pass. Your faithfulness surrounds me like a shield, and I rejoice that heaven and earth may pass away, but Your words shall not pass away.
I praise You for Christ, the anchor of my soul, who has entered within the veil on my behalf. My hope is fastened to Him, sure and steadfast, immovable in the storm. I give thanks that You have provided such a refuge, that I may flee to Him and be safe, hidden under the shadow of Your wings and guarded as the apple of Your eye.
I thank You that Your word is power. By Your word the worlds were made, by Your word they are upheld, and by Your word my life is preserved. This same word promises that He who began a good work in me will complete it until the day of Christ. I rest in this assurance and offer You thanksgiving for the certainty of Your keeping hand.
Lord, I give thanks for the privileges I enjoy in Christ, secured not by my works but by Your oath. You assure me that You will bring me into eternal possession of glory. You declare Yourself my Father, my guide, my keeper. What greater blessings could I seek than those already secured by Your covenant and sealed by Your oath?
With a grateful heart I bless Your holy name. Let my life be filled with thanksgiving, my words quick to speak of Your faithfulness, and my soul anchored in Your immutable promises. Because You are my refuge, my consolation, and my strong hope forever.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Hebrews 6:18:
Titus 1:2, Numbers 23:19, Hebrews 3:6, Deuteronomy 7:9
[1] Thomas Manton, A Fourth Volume Containing One Hundred and Fifty Sermons on Several Texts of Scripture in Two Parts, (London: J. D. and are to be sold by Jonathon Robinson .., 1693), 195.
