Faith (Hebrews 11)

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

And there we have it. A summary of my last few months.

Faith–trust in action.

Believing that God is who He says He is.

Sovereign.
Faithful.
Good.

Believing that God has good things in store for me when I seek Him.

By faith, I recognize the character of God, and by faith I place my life in His hands, even when–no, especially when–I cannot see either Him or His plan. Faith is the substance of what I hoped for–even when my hopes seem dashed. It is the evidence of what I cannot see through the cloud of circumstances (v.1).

Faith is knowing God’s sovereignty (v.3)
Faith is submitting to God whatever He asks of me (v.4)
Faith is being completely taken with God (v.5)
Faith is preparing (v.6)
Faith is obeying (v.8)
Faith is letting God work within me (v.11)
Faith is sacrificing what I thought was a fulfillment of the promise (v.17)
Faith is blessing when I feel like cursing (v.20)
Faith is clinging to the promise to my deathbed (v.21)
Faith is ignoring the world’s way–choosing to take the hard route to follow Christ (v.23-29)

Faith is believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him when…
…I subdue kingdoms
…I work righteousness
…I obtain promises
…I stop the mouth of lions
…I quench the violence of fire
…I escape the edge of the sword
…I am made strong out of weakness
…I become valiant in battle
…I turn to flight the armies of my enemies
…I receive my dead raised to life again

Faith is believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him when…
…I am tortured
…I do not accept deliverance
…I have trials of mockings and scourgings
…I am in chains and imprisoned
…I am stoned
…I am sawn in two
…I am tempted
…I am slain with a sword
…I wander about
…I am destitute
…I am afflicted
…I am tormented

Faith is believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him regardless of my circumstances.

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!