LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:13, All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God.  (NLT)

 

In the middle of describing the Hall of Fame of Faith the Holy spirit leads the writer of Hebrews to make the statement above.  Go back and read the promises made to the individuals written about.  There were several types of promises made – some pertained were related to what could be immediately seen.  Abraham and Sarah were promised a son and a land where they would live for example.  But other promises were made that would happen into the future.  They were promises they would only see by faith; their belief in God’s faithfulness enabled them to know God had something better in mind for them.  They believed He would do what He promised even when it was not accomplished in their lifetime.

 

As believers today, we must persevere in faith and trust God, even when we do not see all the promises of God being fulfilled in our lifetime.  We need to surrender or give back to God the promises He has made.  Why?  I have come to believe we get in the way of God working by trying to help Him fulfill His promises.  We pray for something believing we know how it should be answered.  We pray for the direction we want in our lives instead of asking God to show His will for our lives.  We just need to surrender to God’s will, His plan for our lives, and trust Him to bring it about.

 

Faith is really interesting.  There are many things we believe in but do not see.  The other afternoon, I sat out side and felt the wind; I never did see it.  I saw its effects as the trees moved and I felt a little relief from the heat.  But I never saw it.  It is the same with God.  I believe His word because I have seen the effect of it.  I have felt God’s presence when I have needed comfort and His power and protection when I have need that.  I have seen the effects of God, but never seen Him.  “That is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.” (Hebrews 11:1 from the New Living Translation).

 

Walking by faith will bring times when your faith will be tested; no one is exempt. Let me end today with some encouragement.  James wrote in his letter to the scattered Jewish Christians, “… whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (NLT).  “Temptation refers to some form of difficulty or pressure in our lives – and it can come from worldly things or from Satan – that God uses it to try our faith and develop in us perseverance and godly character, so we may be ‘strong in character and ready for anything’.” (LSSB and the NLT).  I don’t like the trials but they do help us to reach the spiritual maturity we need to walk in this evil world.  God brings them to test the sincerity of our faith; they are not an indication that He is unhappy with us.  When the testing of your faith comes face them with joy as James tells us.

 

Those who honor God by walking in faith, by walking on the narrow way, and by desiring a better place, a heavenly place (Hebrews 11:16), “God will not be ashamed to call Himself their God” (v. 16). 

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.