Faith Pleases God
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “hall of faith,” as it mentions many Old Testament heroes who walked by faith in God. Verse 5 calls out Enoch, who was “commended as having pleased God.” In verse 6, the author gives two necessary aspects of God-pleasing faith – belief “that he exists” and “that he rewards those who seek him.” From the examples in Hebrews 11, we see that belief in God’s existence is not merely intellectual knowledge but a wholehearted devotion to His presence and participation in every part of one’s life. In Genesis 5, Enoch is said to have “walked with God.” This kind of belief looks to God as one’s Heavenly Father, trusting in His promises and walking with Him daily in obedience to His Word.
The second aspect of God-pleasing faith is a belief that trusts in God's character as a good, loving, gracious, and merciful Father. God rewards those who place their faith in Him just as a gracious parent rewards their child, with generous love and tender care. God’s greatest reward is the free gift of salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sin. Romans 5:8 says that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Faith that is pleasing to God involves putting one’s trust and faith in Jesus as Savior & Lord and walking with Him daily, trusting in His goodness and His promise to care for those who seek Him.
The second aspect of God-pleasing faith is a belief that trusts in God's character as a good, loving, gracious, and merciful Father. God rewards those who place their faith in Him just as a gracious parent rewards their child, with generous love and tender care. God’s greatest reward is the free gift of salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sin. Romans 5:8 says that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Faith that is pleasing to God involves putting one’s trust and faith in Jesus as Savior & Lord and walking with Him daily, trusting in His goodness and His promise to care for those who seek Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise and worship you as a good and loving God. I thank you for your mercy and grace in sending your Son, Jesus, to go to the cross and pay the penalty that I deserve for my sin. I know I do not deserve this wonderful gift, and I thank you for showing me your love as my Father in Heaven. I confess that when life does not go as I expect, I can be tempted to question your goodness and love. Help me through the power of the Holy Spirit to always trust in your goodness and love, regardless of what life throws at me, and help me to walk in obedience to you daily. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Posted in 40 Days of Prayer