Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
This is what our faith in God is like. We do not see God, we cannot feel God. It is very hard to hear God because we've been so accustomed to hearing ourselves or the voice of Satan. However, when we continue to believe that God is with us wherever we go and watches over us in whatever we do, this is love. This is faith.
I love all these examples. It really emphasizes the importance of our faith in God... and what's common in all of these examples of Noah, Jacob, Moses and all the other righteous men that were mentioned? They believed in God and his magnificence. They believed in the works of wonder that He can do and the promises that they will receive not in this world, but in the heavenly realm that we will soon reside in.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
If we don't fully believe that there is a God... or even have a very small doubt of whether He is there or not, then we won't end up fully living our lives for Him. If we are not 100% devoted to Him, it easily instills in us that wicked thought of why we're living for Him in the first place. A domino effect can take place. We would begin to rely on ourselves (thinking that God is not there to give us the strength and wisdom), we get prideful of ourselves in accomplishments and successes, we sin more thinking that it doesn't really matter because God isn't really there. FALSE. God is there. God is watching. God is leading us towards Him. We need to continue seeking him earnestly and with a passion for His name (reference from Consuming Fire by Tim Hughes... awesome worship song!). With this attitude we can exemplify Him and we can be a living testimony to others of how God (although we can't see/feel Him) has done amazing things in our life through His unconditional love and grace. Imagine how others around us would see us. It is very possible that they too may experience and be open to God's love through our persevering example of being Christ-like.
Hebrews 11:13
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
The truly good things, treasures, and enduring promises is in Heaven, in God's domain. I look forward to it. However, it is important not plant yourself deeply in this world now. The worldly things like fame, money, career don't last. We can't take any of it with us to the abode of the Lord. As Francis Chan stated, we need to look at the picture. Our life with God for eternity is much longer and more significant than our miniscule, short life on Earth. Let go of the materials of this world and seek after the real treasure.
Hebrews 11:40
God has planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
God has great gifts and blessings in store for us. It's only with him that these gifts are made perfect and put to its greatest use and potential.
Have faith. Let go of this world. Seek after the Lord and His kingdom. Yearn for the real treasure that waits with the Lord.
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