Daily Reading: 8-8-16
Hebrews 11:1-7 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Recently on our Alaska vacation, John and I spent a great deal of time admiring God’s creative handiwork from afar. Everything within me wanted to get close and enjoy it, but that was not possible. So, I just kept my eyes focused on enjoying what I could see and basking in the revelation of God’s glory despite the distance.
Today’s Scripture continues the passage I taught on yesterday at C2C. If we desire to please our Heavenly Father, every child of God must take an ongoing spiritual journey of faith. Faith joins assurance with anticipation; a state of certainty with uncertainty. We believe that everything God tells us is true. For these giants of faith listed below, we can see they trusted the Father. As children of God and disciples of faith, we must live each day knowing it is but a piece of the greater reward God will reveal one day. God is a Rewarder of those who seek Him.
Hebrews 11:1-7 The Faithful See from Afar
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of realities not seen. 2 For by it the elders received commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen did not come from anything visible.
4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain. Through faith he was commended as righteous[a] when God approved of his gifts. And through faith he still speaks, although he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken so as not to see death, and he was not found because God took him.[b] For before he was taken, he was commended as pleasing to God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about events not yet seen, in holy fear prepared an ark for the safety of his household. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to always remember faith begins as hope that is unseen. I know you have created an ongoing purpose for my life. Thank you for the series of intentional events you have placed along my path that help me to discover and understand your assignments for me. Thank you for the many rewards I have already tasted. In Jesus’ name. Amen.