As much as I anticipate and enjoy a beautiful sunrise every morning, there is something equally awe-inspiring about a color-filled sky at sunset [especially as it momentarily reclines over the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico]. “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known!” (Ps 19:1-2).
God displays his presence, nature, and character throughout all his creation. With the rising and setting sun, we should give thanks for God’s merciful nature and faithful promises. In fact, as his human creation, we should humble our rebelliously prideful souls, bow in worship, and turn from evil to live for God, because faith in our Creator’s plans and promises, through his glorious Son, is the only acceptable response to our merciful and gracious Maker. Presently, I pray you can see the faith of believers—in the Son’s power to save, deliver, and guide lives into righteousness—is being tested by God.
In our passage today from the writer of Hebrews, it is clear obedience to God is what brings blessings. Now, in order to walk in the obedience that pleases God, we need to know how God designed us to live and what pleases him, right? Well, these heroes of the faith—listed in Hebrews chapter 11—based their trust and decisions on the Word of God to their hearts. They were convinced that God would do as he promised, even though following him called for sacrifice on their parts. These heroes knew allowing God to reveal their individual life paths—who they were created to be and how they were created to live in his character despite their human strengths and/or weaknesses—was the only way to live in the glory of the Son.
God has promised to bless those who place their faith in him, so we can be a blessing in the world. Blessings come from an intimate relationship between God and human beings resulting in favor, provision, and protection. Believers are to be channels of those blessings. In fact, God established religious and government institutions, in order to help fellow human beings recognize the righteous authority of God’s rule over ALL creation and to lead the world by example into a life of faith in our Creator (Ro 13:1). However, it seems clear every day the sun rises and sets, the eternal Son is being diminished in the eyes of the people by the very groups of leaders designed to help them cling to God’s authority and promises found in his Living Word. We cannot displace and dishonor our Creator’s rule and anticipate being able to appropriate the power or blessings of God for lives and lands—such a notion is deception-led and irrational at its core.
Scripture teaches us about the blessings of God and how to appropriate his power for living. By faith, we need to anticipate the power and blessing of God by living according to his planned design for us. By faith, we need to acknowledge it is only through obedience to God we enjoy the blessing and peace or well-being he offers. Lastly, by faith, we need to accept and follow the true Source of eternal power over hearts and lands. Otherwise, we are on the wrong side of an all-presence, all-knowing, and all-powerful eternal Ruler.
May we return to the fear the Lord and quickly gain some wisdom before it is too late. “Fear [holy awe/respect] of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment” (Prov 9:10). “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” (Gal 6:9). The Wisdom writer proclaims, “There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak” (Prov 12-13). Pause and Ponder!
Hebrews 11:17-22 NLT
17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.
22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.
Prayer: Lord, please make your glorious Son shine in our hearts today and help us to live by placing our faith in you. We accept the testing of our faith; it is such an honor to serve you as you have so mercifully saved the faithful from the penalties of sin and death. We pray for our hearts and our lands to return to your Righteous rule. You are the Giver of miraculous blessings and perfect justice, so may the leaders of our religious and government institutions wake up to proclaim the Truth. Then, send your Spirit to bear witness to the Truth. Your Word teaches there is a way that seems right to the human soul [mind, will, emotions], but it ends in destruction. We know you said it and your Word will fulfill it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.