Verse of the Day 11/16

Verse of the Day 11/16

Hebrews 11:6

English Standard Version

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Today's New Testament reading brought me to one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, right behind Romans 8.  It is a favorite for many reasons, some personal and others because it contains defines faith and takes a look back at people through history that have exemplified that faith and as it does so; challenges us to have such a faith.  It is a chapter that I turn to often for encouragement and hope.

The verse begins by pointing out that faith "pleases 'God".  I believe it as Augustine who stated "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."  When our faith shows through difficult circumstances, God shines and the verse also reminds us, as does the chapter, that He rewards those those that draw near to Him in faith.  It is the picture of that "abiding" from John 15.

John MacArthur writes, "A person must believe not only that the true God exists, but also that He will reward men's faith in Him with forgiveness and righteousness, because He has promised to do so."  Faith believes that God exists and who God says He is and believes, trusts that, He will reward that belief as we look back at others through history and apply what God has said in our own lives.  Like those in Hebrews 11, our true reward will be to be with Him eternally.

1. This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through,
   My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
   The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,
   And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
   • Refrain:
     O Lord, You know I have no friend like You,
     If heaven's not my home, then, Lord, what will I do?
     The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,
     And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

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 11:1-7

English Standard Version

By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.