Joy of Zion
Words of Faith 5-4-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Hebrews 12
[18] You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; [19] to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, [20] because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." [21] The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."

[22] But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, [23] to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, [24] to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

When we first read this, we might think we have a choice: Mount Sinai or Mount Zion. Do I choose the darkness and gloom of Mount Sinai, living under the Law, or the wonder and joy of Mt. Zion, where Christians live under grace? I don't think that is what we have here. The truth is that Mount Sinai and Mount Zion are both part of the journey. We would never reach Zion without first camping at the foot of Sinai.

Why?

First, Mount Sinai was the stop for the children of Israel as they came out of bondage. When we first come out of slavery to sin and death, we stop at a place that defines us as the people of God and gives order to the community. That place is Sinai.

The Ten Commandments define our covenant relationship to love God and love neighbor. This is also where we learn to worship. We find identity as the people of God at Sinai. But the problem is that Sinai can never justify us. At Sinai, we are only halfway home, and that is not nearly enough.

The Law at Sinai cannot deliver us into the Promise; it can only point out how we fall short. It is only by faith, absolute trust in God and His faithfulness, that we are able to enter into the Promised Land. In the desert wanderings, God repeatedly sought to teach the Israelites how to depend solely upon Him. But Sinai is also important because we can never get to grace without first encountering the Law.

Mt. Zion is where the work of our salvation takes place. Jesus, our High Priest, makes the sacrifice. The demands of the law are fulfilled. The curtain separating us from God is torn away. It is a place of rejoicing and communion with God. It is a place of freedom from the Law, and freedom to obey the Law. It is a place where thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.

Where are you in your journey of faith? Sinai is important. Zion is joy.

Lord, give me the order and identity that comes from Your Law. Give me the grace and peace that only comes by Your work at Zion. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.