Through the Bible - Ezekiel 4-6, Hebrews 11:1-16
Good morning,
This mornings New Testament reading brings us to a passage that I've referred to in these devotionals as much, if not more, than any other passage that I can think of. It is partially because faith and hope are so essential for us as Christians and finally it is a passage that I go to, time and time again, when I need to be reminded of it's truths.
The chapter starts by getting right down to it.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
Let's consider "Faith is the conviction (or the evidence) of things not seen". John Piper writes, "The word for "conviction" or "evidence" is not used anywhere else in the New Testament. Outside the New Testament, it's normal use is "proof" or "argument" or "evidence", something objective - about the world rather than subjective about how we feel about the world".
Think of it in a courtroom situation. If our hope is on trial, our faith is the proof, the argument, the evidence that our hope is real. We look back to those mentioned in this chapter, and hopefully look back on examples from our own lives that back it up.
Today's verse tells us something more, if we desire to please God, our faith needs to be applied. We must believe that He is in control and diligently seek Him in the very trials that cause others to question our faith and our hope. It becomes our testimony.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him NKJV
or from The Message
or from The Message
Heb 11:6 It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
What can faith do? I was struck by the lyrics of the following song as I came home from a powerful study with the High School students last Sunday morning. The thoughts stayed with me as did Hebrews 11 all during the week.
What can faith do? I was struck by the lyrics of the following song as I came home from a powerful study with the High School students last Sunday morning. The thoughts stayed with me as did Hebrews 11 all during the week.
That's What Faith Can Do - Kutless
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
You may decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it'll be all right
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
You may decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it'll be all right
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
Overcome the odds
When you don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It will tell you that it can
When you don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It will tell you that it can
If you apply your faith as the evidence of things hoped for what kind of testimony would it be?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Heb 11:1-8
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Faith at the Dawn of History
(Gen 4:1-16; 5:18-24; 6:5-8:22)
(Gen 4:1-16; 5:18-24; 6:5-8:22)
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. NKJV
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