Faith

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us to that only together with us would they be made perfect." (Heb 11:39-40)

Faith is believing in something unseen and receiving it just as if it were physically present. "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days." (Heb 11:29) By faith:

• Daniel spent the night in the lion's den and was unharmed;
• David picked up five smooth stones and his sling, and slew Goliath; and
• Abraham, after waiting, although not patiently, until he was very old, was given many children.

After writing this in draft, the Lord spoke to me and called me to add here the fact that all of these biblical heroes exercised their faith, first by taking the action that God had spoken to them, and then by receiving the promise God had given them. They didn't read about or hear about God's power and not take action, they first were obedient and then they believed and received his blessing. How often we forget about the action step!

God's promises for our lives are fulfilled if we are obedient to what he asks us to do and then we are confident that God is faithful in his promises even when we may not see physically the results. Let us not lose heart when the world around us seems to be winning and stealing our joy because God has something waiting for us. He has plans to prosper and not to harm us. Whatever we face now we must believe that what we have asked God to remove or replace according to his will, it has already been set aside for us by Him because he is faithful in what he promises.

My prayer. Father, you know my heart. You know what I struggle with. Your word says that you have plans for us that do not include harm but promise prosperity and hope. Help me Lord not to be blinded by present circumstances but to be encouraged by my faith in You, believing for things promised but yet unseen. I trust you Lord even though I am weak in my faith. I ask earnestly for your forgiveness for my doubt and receive now the promises already delivered in my unseen future. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Because of Our Unbelief

"So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief." Heb 3:19

The author of Hebrews is writing to a Jewish audience and referring to their history of disobedience and unbelief that caused a generation to wander in the desert unable to enter the promised land. Even Moses who led them out of slavery in Egypt was unable to see the fruits of his own obedience because of their unbelief.

How often does our own unbelief causes us to miss God's blessings? I know I have suffered much self-inflicted pain and anxiety simply because I did not believe God. Whether, its finances or forgiveness, we all can call to mind a time of not being able to enjoy or experience the fullness of God's blessing because of our lack of trust in the Father.

John 3:36 says, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." Because of our inherent sinfulness, God's wrath remains on all who do not trust that Jesus went to the cross and endured torture and death to remove the Father's wrath from the entire world. Many Christians, including me, believe this truth but fail to believe that God is faithful in his other promises such as forgiveness of past misdeeds or blessings around tithing, and healing. Why is it we can believe he died for our sins yet not believe his other promises? We must learn to believe all of his promises if we are going to have complete freedom, not only from His wrath but from the chains that have held us captive and kept us from our "promised land."

My prayer. Father we are often unwilling and unable to enter into the fullness of your blessings. Even as believers in Christ, we miss out on the fullness of your promises and joy. I pray today for your grace regarding our stubbornness and mistrust of you. As we pass through this life, may each one of us hear and receive the promises you made to all of us through your Word. Open our eyes and our ears to see and hear your words and please open our hearts to receive and believe what you have said. Thank you Father for loving us even when we stand outside of our promised land waiting, in unbelief. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen!