Tag: Hebrews 11:6
“Who has Believed?”
Scripture reading for July 13: Isaiah 53:1-3 “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look on Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as One from Whom men hide their faces.”
Hebrews 11:6 “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.”
One of the most famous passages in Isaiah describing God’s plan of salvation and healing is found in chapter 53. We will explore this passage this week in relation to God’s revelation of His heart to bring restoration to His people through faith in the One that He would send. Matthew 8:16-17 applies this passage in Isaiah to Jesus’ ministry of healing and deliverance.
Today’s passage begins with two questions for God’s people. The first question asks about our faith: “Who has believed what he has heard from us?” Faith is foundational to pleasing God, for without it, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) Isaiah asked God’s people if they trusted and believed what God said to them through his ministry.
The second question concerns revelation knowledge. This is knowledge gained from God’s Word that is beyond what our senses may be able to discern. “To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” asked the Israelites to discern beyond their human understanding. God revealed that His Messiah/Servant would come out of ‘dry ground’, not appearing to be anyone special and in a time of spiritual dryness. This ‘Servant’ would have no human characteristics that would mark Him as Messiah. In fact, He would be despised and rejected by men. He would be a man of sorrows and experience much grief. Some would want to hide their faces from Him. To discern God’s Messiah would require revelation knowledge beyond human reasoning.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for speaking to us, Your people. Thank You for revealing Your Son, Jesus Christ, that we might find our help in the Arm of the Lord that You provided to save us from our sins, sickness and disease. Open the eyes of our hearts to behold You. Amen.
Day 4–God’s Angel Army
Scripture reading for March 5: Psalm 34:4-8 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers him.”
Hebrews 1:14 “Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”
Today we will continue with the theme of God’s watching over His people. As fallen humans, we are often held captive by our senses and experience living in the natural world. We all experience fear in some of the incidents that happen to us each day. We know that we don’t have the resources, strength, or ability to solve the problem at hand and we worry or fret about what we should do. Some turn to alcohol or drugs to mask the pain and these are often depressants that take us lower instead of solve the problem. God wants His children to trust Him for His protection.
God’s grace through His Word has revealed a hidden realm of powerful spiritual beings called angels who willingly serve God in total loyalty. When God’s people turn to Him in times of trouble, He is delighted with their faith and trust. (Hebrews 11:6) The psalmist declares that the one who calls on God begins to radiate God’s glory and they will never be ashamed or regret calling on Him. He will send an angel or more to set up a wall of fire around those calling Him and they will camp out there in protection. God’s stated purpose for His angels was that they be ministering spirits, sent out to serve the heirs of salvation! How comforting and empowering to know that we have unseen help close at hand camping out around us who honor God by calling on Him!
Prayer: Father God, although I have never knowingly seen an angel, I have been aware of Your supernatural protection preserving my life several times and probably many more. I invite You to send me protection and help as I go into situations of danger and darkness. Reveal the reality of the unseen world to your children as they call on You. Amen.
Turning back the clock through prayer!
Scripture reading for July 26: Isaiah 36-39
In Isaiah 38 we have the record of an interesting incident in the life of a good king of Israel, Hezekiah. Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to tell him to get his house in order because he was going to die. (Isaiah 38:1) Who are we to argue with God?
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and humbly asked: “Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” (Isaiah 38:2) In response, Isaiah was told to tell Hezekiah the Lord had heard his prayer, seen his tears, and was adding 15 years to his life. The Lord assured him that He would deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians. (Isaiah 38:4-6)
God was quick to answer Hezekiah’s request and also gave Hezekiah a special sign of His favor. He made the sunlight go back ten steps on the staircase of Ahaz. As God had promised more time, He demonstrated His power to turn back the clock! What a powerful answer to prayer and what grace for a visual sign of the answer!
There are several things to note that are instructive for us. Hezekiah simply reminded God how he had lived by faith for many years and had a habit of trusting God. Hezekiah approached God humbly and did not just put on a show. He was real with God about his feelings and desire. He did not demand anything from God, but simply appealed to the One Who held His life in His hands. God answered because He heard the prayer and saw the tears! (Isaiah 38:5) Faith always moves God! (Mark 11:22-24) Faith pleases God like nothing else! (Hebrews 11:6)
If you are facing an impossible situation today, try simply asking God in faith like Hezekiah. Trust Him to hear and answer! Here is Hezekiah’s response to God’s grace: “But what can I say: He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back.” Isaiah 38:15-17
What is a ‘fool’?
Scripture reading for June 5: Psalms 13-18
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” Psalm 14:1
The fool in Scripture is the one who denies the existence of God. Why would anyone want to deny that God exists? Hasn’t God placed eternity in the hearts of all men? (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Isn’t God evident to all through creation? (Psalm 19:2-4) The reason this kind of fool exists isn’t because of an intellectual problem. It is something much deeper than that!
According to Psalm 14, the reason the fool says that there is no God is because of corruption of character. These people are vile and do not do anything that would be considered ‘good’ in God’s sight. These people avoid seeking God so that they do not have to answer for their wicked deeds. They prefer their corruption and want no ‘God’ to interfere with their evil ways and thoughts. It is convenient to do away with God or any knowledge of Him, thinking this liberates them from responsibility and judgment.
The Apostle Paul describes the fool’s way of thinking in Romans 1:18-23. These people have known about God and His ways but have suppressed this truth in unrighteousness. Having suppressed truth, the lie of their own ‘godhood’ based on their own futile thinking darkens their hearts and souls. God allows them to follow their darkened understanding and worship creatures and creation rather than the creator.
The next step is sexual perversion. (Romans 1:24-27) When a person rejects God because of their wickedness, God allows that person to be deluded and go deeply into perversion and further depravity in the breaking of God’s laws. This results in all kinds of sexual sin, lying, greed, envy, malice, strife, and idolatry. This is where every ‘fool’ in Scripture ends up without the grace of God.
There is no excuse for staying a fool however, for God is always ready to save, heal and forgive. We must humble ourselves and admit that He exists and that He will reward and forgive those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) If you have been foolish in your words or attitudes about God, take time today and repent. God is faithful and just and will forgive you! (1st John 1:7-9)
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; . .”