Read it – Hebrews 11 NLT
Live it –
Today’s text is a soaring treatise on the subject of faith. It starts by giving a definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) states, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Belief does not become faith until it is acted upon. Pastors Gary and James have already written about faith and its key role in the life of the believer.
In today’s passage we have a list of people of old who are commended for their faith. It is sometimes referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame.” We see names listed such as Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rahab, etc. The chapter ends by saying that these people achieved great reputation by their faith.
I want to draw your attention to verses 5 and 6: “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—’he disappeared, because God took him.’ For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Faith is so critical in the believer’s life that this text declares it is impossible to please God without faith.
Grow your faith by reading God’s Word (the Bible) and spending at least a few minutes in conversation with God (prayer) every day.
Pastor Rod