Hebrews 11:4-7 (TPT)
4 Faith moved Abel to choose a more acceptable sacrifice to offer God than his brother Cain, and God declared him righteous because of his offering of faith. By his faith, Abel still speaks instruction to us today, even though he is long dead.
5 Faith translated Enoch from this life and he was taken up into heaven! He never had to experience death; he just disappeared from this world because God promoted him. For before he was translated to the heavenly realm his life had become a pleasure to God [Enoch had a reputation of pleasing God].
6 And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God [we are powerless]. For we come to God in faith [anyone who approaches God must believe] knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who passionately seek him.
7 Faith opened Noah’s heart to receive revelation and warnings from God about what was coming, even things that had never been seen. But he stepped out in reverent obedience to God and built an ark that would save him and his family. By his faith the world was condemned, but Noah received God’s gift of righteousness that comes by believing.
If you know me at all, you know I enjoy baking; it is therapeutic and rejuvenating for my soul. When I was a child, I used to bake with my father’s mother on many Saturday mornings. I looked forward to these times with her and still cherish the memories. If you enjoy making baked goods, you know it is essential to use the proper proportion of ingredients. The right measurement of ingredients can make a very pleasing and delicious product to share with others.
In our passage today, God imparts righteous faith to his worshipers—a measure of faith is meted [distributed] by God. The Lord imparts faith to Abel, Enoch, and Noah; faith to fulfill the call on each of their lives. Through their worship and oneness with God, they will reveal the existence, love, and power of the Lord to others. Abel is given the faith to bring a sacrificial heart to his worship of the Lord. Enoch is given the faith to live righteously before the Lord and overcome death. The Lord opens Noah’s heart and gives him the faith to obey His righteous command to build the ark. My friend, you have been given a measure of faith to fulfill the call of God on your life, too. It is the responsibility of every believer to reveal his or her faith in Christ and obey the Word of God. When we use the faith God has given us, we become very pleasing in the hands of the Lord and a great testimony of His love to the world.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the measure of faith you have imparted to me, so I can fulfill your call on my life. Continue to spur me on in faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.