LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 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.

 

I have used this verse to make a point in other pages of the blog and was going to move on to Noah.  But there is just too much in this verse to consider in our study of faith.  This verse describes some important aspects that are part of saving faith.  No one can even please God without faith.  Let’s go back to what the author of Hebrews wrote as a definition of faith in verse 1.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Faith is trust in God in all circumstances.  The DJSB states, “Faith treats things hoped for as a fact and places confidence today in what has been promised for the future.”  I trust God for healing in my health issues today and I believe with absolute conviction that God’s promises concerning the future will be fulfilled based on His unchangeable and perfect character!  This belief helps me to stay focused on God each day, knowing that He has all things under His control.  I believe that pleases Him.

 

To please God by having this faith, one must believe “he who comes to God must believe that He is”.  This is not a passive or inactive faith that He exists!  You and I must believe “in the existence of a personal, infinite, holy God who cares for us” (LSSB).  That is a very important statement.  God, the Creator of all things cares for you.  Do you believe that?  He knows you intimately; He formed you in your mother’s womb.  It would be a really good idea to read Psalm 139 in light of the government’s thoughts about when life begins!  He knows everything about you - your thoughts, where you go and what you do every moment of the day.  And, He still desires to fellowship with you and me. 

 

It is this belief that God is that leads to His righteousness ,gives us confidence in His Word, helps us to be obedient to His commands, helps us to control our lives to live in His promises, and helps us reject the evil in the world we live in.  Do you get the idea?  We need this type of faith to live in this world, to face the increasing godlessness and evil all around us.

 

We must believe “that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”.  Diligently involves a careful and conscientious seeking of something and the way one lives their life.  Seeking God in this way is boldly believing that He will reward those who do.  What is the reward?  It is the joy of finding Him and enjoying His presence forever – for eternity.  Let me just mention what I see as an order.  You and I must come to the knowledge that God is and that He loves us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die on a cross for our sins (all of them!).  His resurrection assures all of who believe in Him will also be resurrected.  Because of this saving knowledge, we begin to diligently seek Him.  We seek Him to be like Him, to allow His light to shine through us in order to be a light to a dark world.  Our life then becomes a witness to others so they begin to question what is it about us that is different.  Do not ever think people are not watching you!  When we diligently seek God, He rewards us with His presence and the ability to do whatever His desire for us is.  The greatest reward is to find that which we are seeking. 

 

This is a really great verse for us to memorize and to just remind ourselves how important faith is.  It not only strengthens us to get through the trials of each day but helps us to look to the future.  It strengthens me to know God will reward His faithful people1

 

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.