Post by Les Brewer on Nov 25, 2023 16:49:13 GMT
Seeing by Faith By: Katara Patton
Click here for the Audio Message
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Hebrews 11:1–8
During my morning walk, the sun hit the waters of the lake at a perfect angle to produce a stunning view. I asked my friend to stop and wait for me as I positioned my camera to take a pic. Because of the position of the sun, I couldn’t see the image on my phone’s screen before I snapped the shot. But having done this before, I sensed it would be a great picture. I told my friend, “We can’t see it now, but pictures like this always come out good.”
Walking by faith through this life is often like taking that picture. You can’t always see the details on the screen, but that doesn’t mean the stunning picture isn’t there. You don’t always see God working, but you can trust that He’s there. As the writer of Hebrews wrote, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). By faith we place our confidence and assurance in God—especially when we can’t see or understand what He’s doing.
With faith, not seeing doesn’t prevent us from ‘taking the shot’. It just might make us pray more and seek God’s direction. We can also find encouragement in the stories of faith that have come before us (vv. 4–12), as well as remembering God’s faithfulness to us in our own stories. What God has done before, He can do again.
Reflect & Pray
What are you trusting God to do even though you may not see it clearly right now? How has He delivered you or your family in the past?
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the ways You’ve provided for me in the past. Help me to walk by faith even if I can’t see all You’re doing.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Hebrews was written to encourage Jewish believers in Jesus who were facing persecution (Hebrews 10:32–35) and were thus in danger of drifting away and reverting back to Judaism. The unnamed author encouraged them to live by faith and to persevere (vv. 36–39) and explained what living by faith means (11:1). The author listed examples of many people who’d lived by such faith to illustrate that this is the only way to please God: “Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” ( v. 6). These faithful believers trusted God despite their adverse circumstances and the disappointment of not yet “[receiving] what had been promised” (v. 39).
K. T. Sim
Hebrews 11:1-8
King James Version
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Click here for the Audio Message
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Hebrews 11:1–8
During my morning walk, the sun hit the waters of the lake at a perfect angle to produce a stunning view. I asked my friend to stop and wait for me as I positioned my camera to take a pic. Because of the position of the sun, I couldn’t see the image on my phone’s screen before I snapped the shot. But having done this before, I sensed it would be a great picture. I told my friend, “We can’t see it now, but pictures like this always come out good.”
Walking by faith through this life is often like taking that picture. You can’t always see the details on the screen, but that doesn’t mean the stunning picture isn’t there. You don’t always see God working, but you can trust that He’s there. As the writer of Hebrews wrote, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). By faith we place our confidence and assurance in God—especially when we can’t see or understand what He’s doing.
With faith, not seeing doesn’t prevent us from ‘taking the shot’. It just might make us pray more and seek God’s direction. We can also find encouragement in the stories of faith that have come before us (vv. 4–12), as well as remembering God’s faithfulness to us in our own stories. What God has done before, He can do again.
Reflect & Pray
What are you trusting God to do even though you may not see it clearly right now? How has He delivered you or your family in the past?
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the ways You’ve provided for me in the past. Help me to walk by faith even if I can’t see all You’re doing.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Hebrews was written to encourage Jewish believers in Jesus who were facing persecution (Hebrews 10:32–35) and were thus in danger of drifting away and reverting back to Judaism. The unnamed author encouraged them to live by faith and to persevere (vv. 36–39) and explained what living by faith means (11:1). The author listed examples of many people who’d lived by such faith to illustrate that this is the only way to please God: “Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” ( v. 6). These faithful believers trusted God despite their adverse circumstances and the disappointment of not yet “[receiving] what had been promised” (v. 39).
K. T. Sim
Hebrews 11:1-8
King James Version
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
