Tag: Hebrews 11:1-3
It’s by faith!
Scripture reading for December 13: Hebrews 11-13
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. 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.” Hebrews 11:1-3
One of the foundational aspects of our faith is trusting God as creator of all things. God alone has the wisdom and power to create the universe or cosmos out of nothing with His simple command! This particular aspect of faith is attacked in our land today by those who put their faith in the theory of evolution. Evolution is a type of religious system that puts time and chance as key ingredients to finding the basis of beginning in all things. A creator is ruled out and intelligent design is believed to be the simple product of chance or random happenings over millions or billions of years.
We who trust God and His Word know by His revelation how creation began. God simply spoke a command and it happened. Faith trusts what we cannot see but what God has said. Faith’s object is always God or His Word. God does not lie. He is absolute Truth and His Word is also Truth! The Bible records a number of human beings who trusted God’s Word and were commended by Him. There is a portion of that list in the rest of Hebrews 11! I want to focus on just one of these ancients, Enoch, who was the seventh generation from Adam through Seth.
“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. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 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 seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:5-6)
Enoch was known as a man who walked with God. He was a prophet who warned of the coming of the Lord with His holy angels in judgment. His only recorded message is found in Jude 14-15. Enoch began to walk with God after the birth of his son, Methuselah. (Genesis 5:21-24) The name “Methuselah” has a meaning of judgment coming when he dies. The flood came in the year Methuselah died and he lived longer than any other man recorded in Scripture. Enoch so walked with God, that he was snatched up to heaven without death and became a type of faith-walker that would inspire others throughout the ages!
There is no other means of pleasing God! Jesus is coming again. Will you walk with God today as if that were true and warn others about this coming event? Your reward will be better than Methuselah’s! We have a better resurrection in Jesus Christ! (Hebrews 11:39-40)
Blessed Assurance!
Scripture reading for October 28th: Hebrews 11, Psalm 65, Proverbs 30
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. 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. . . . .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.”
The writer of Hebrews reviewed past history of God’s people recorded in Scripture. Those who pleased God were those who by faith obeyed Him and lived a life of worship and trust, even when they did not receive what was promised. God always rewards those who seek Him and commends those with trusting faith. If we see it now, we don’t need faith. If we hear God speak, we can wait patiently for it to come to pass!
Faith Confession: I believe in God the Father and Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe the universe was created by God’s powerful Word out of nothing. I am a new creation by believing His Word in Jesus Christ and await a full reward of eternal life.
Psalm 65:4-5 “Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple! By awesome deeds You answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; . .”
Faith and pleasing God!
Scripture reading for October 27th: Hebrews 11
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 11:1-3,6 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. 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. . . . 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.”
God is invisible to sinful man. Because of sin, mankind has been cut off from beholding God for his own good and well-being. Sin cannot exist in the holiness of God’s glorious presence. But those who have had a relationship with God since Adam have come to Him by faith. They trust and are certain of God’s person and goodness. They believe that God created the visible world out of nothing at His own command. They understand that God is good and will reward those that believe although they cannot visibly see Him.
Observations for over-comers: Our faith will be rewarded eternal life and beholding God face to face in His glory! “Then Moses said, “Now show me Your glory.” . . . “But,” He said, “you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live.” (Exodus 33:18, 20)