Verse of the Day 11/3
Hebrews 11:6New International Version
Hebrews 11:6
New International Version
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
After Romans 28, Hebrews 11 is probably my second favorite chapter in the Bible. It is all about faith, faith through history and most importantly faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Is a favorite for several reasons, but mainly it has been an anchor for me throughout life. I read Hebrews 11 on what was probably the most trying day of my life when my son Jeff was involved in an accident, by a drunk driver, which left him disabled for the rest of his life here on this earth. One of the reasons this chapter is held so dear is that Jeff has faith in God and through that faith I know that he has an eternity of being healed and being with Jesus ahead of him.
The chapter begins with verse 1 "faih is the substance of things hope, the evidence of things not seen", the things to come. Faith is not something for the weak, it is the power of God to overcome what life throws at us.
C. S. Lewis defined faith as "the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods." Faith is not a spiritual mood or an emotional state. It may influence our emotions, but faith is ultimately a conviction." Today in the Word devotional
Today's verse tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please Him, but wait there's more, "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." That diligence can also be interpreted as "striving". I'm reminded of two old hymns "Faith is the Victory" and " A Mighty Fortress", In a Mighty Fortress we sing of a "bullwark" never failing, and that our striving would be losing, if it were not for faith. Faith is that bullwark against the storms of life, that anchor that holds, and it is not just faith itself, it is Whom that faith is secured, our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 | A mighty Fortress is our God, A Bulwark never failing; Our Helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. |
2 | Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His Name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle. |
3 | And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. |
4 | That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever. |
Blessings,
Mike
Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Hebrews 11:1-6New International Version
Hebrews 11:1-6
New International Version
Faith in Action
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away."[a]
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