Saturday after the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on October 3, 2020 by under
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-7 (NKJV)
11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 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.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Devotion
Hebrews 11 is sometimes called the “Hall of Faith.” But this label gives the impression that the men and women listed are “great” people. But all the people in the Bible (except our Lord) are flawed, just like us. Whatever good works a man does is solely the result of what God has done for him, in him, and through him.
Therefore, it is necessary that we not skip over the very first verse of this chapter: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The key word to understand is “faith”. It is not “playing a hunch,” nor is it a “blind leap,” and it is certainly not “making a decision for Jesus.” It is none of those things, because faith is not something we do. It is the work of God. Faith makes what we hope for in the future (eternal life) as certain as if it were already a past event. It takes what our earthly eyes cannot see and gives us 20/20 spiritual vision.
All of the “Biblical titans” that are subsequently listed are introduced with the phrase “by faith.” It is only because of the gift of faith that they were able to trust and act according to God’s plan. The people of the Church in our time are no different. We have their same substance—both the seed of Adam and the seed of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we too can accomplish great things for God, as He works in us.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for the gift of faith. May we hold fast to it, immersing ourselves in Your Means of Grace, and exercise it by loving our neighbor. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
