Daily Scripture Reading Hebrews 11:6-27
Many people believe emotion is the key to pleasing God. Thus, they express emotion when they pray, sing, or talk about God. They believe God is impressed with their sentimental exhibitions.
The 11th chapter of Hebrews tells us the true requirement for pleasing God. It is not emotion. Nor is it something easy or pleasant. Instead, we please God when we do something hard, especially if we take risks to do something hard.
The first verse of Hebrews 11 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. Then the author mentioned Abel and Enoch as examples of faith.
Heb. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who draws near to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
The pronoun “Him” refers to God. Notice the word “impossible”. Faith is required in order to please God.
Many modern Christians believe the way to please God is through emotional expressions of love and adoration. Thus, they focus on expressing emotion when they sing, pray, or talk about God. However, faith, not emotion, is the key to pleasing God. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is assurance and conviction. It does not mention emotion.
Heb. 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Yahweh told Noah there would be a catastrophic flood upon the earth. Noah believed Yahweh and prepared accordingly. Noah demonstrated faith because, even though a worldwide flood sounded preposterous, he believed the warning he received from Yahweh.
We demonstrate faith when we believe the promises in the Bible, no matter how far-fetched, and act accordingly.
Heb. 11:8 ¶ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
We demonstrate faith when we obey God, trusting Him to fulfill His promise to provide for our needs, even though we can’t imagine how he will provide for our needs. Sometimes it is hard to obey God. Sometimes it is hard to keep going in life because we don’t know where our food, clothing, and shelter will come from.
Heb. 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise,
Heb. 11:10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Heb. 11:11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she regarded Him faithful who had promised.
Heb. 11:12 Therefore there were born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.
Heb. 11:13 ¶ All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Heb. 11:14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
Heb. 11:15 And indeed if they had been remembering that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
Heb. 11:16 But now, they aspire to a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He prepared a city for them.
Heb. 11:17 ¶ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only son,
Heb. 11:18 to whom it was said, “IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED.”
Heb. 11:19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he also received him back.
Abraham had been promised he would have many descendants through Isaac, but then Yahweh told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obeyed because he believed Yahweh would still somehow fulfill his promise. Abraham demonstrated faith because he believed Yahweh’s promise and he believed Yahweh could use miracles to fulfill His promise. It was hard for Abraham to obey, but he did it anyway.
We demonstrate faith when we obey, especially when obeying is hard and risky.
Heb. 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.
Heb. 11:21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and WORSHIPED, leaning ON THE TOP OF HIS STAFF.
Heb. 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave commands concerning his bones.
Genesis 50:24 tells us when Joseph was dying he promised his fellow Israelites that Yahweh would take them back to the Promised Land. Then Joseph made the Israelites swear to take his bones along when they left Egypt.
When Joseph made provisions for his bones to be taken along, he proved he believed Yahweh’s promise, and his belief demonstrated faith.
We see in 2Cor. 5:10 that someday every human will appear before the judgement seat of Christ. Every time we make a decision based on the fact that someday we will give an account of our actions, we demonstrate faith because we prove we believe what the Bible says about future events.
Heb. 11:23 ¶ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
Heb. 11:24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
Heb. 11:25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
Heb. 11:26 regarding the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
Heb. 11:27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the rage of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
Contrary to popular opinion, emotional expression is not the key to pleasing God. Instead, demonstrations of faith are the key to pleasing our Creator, and we demonstrate faith by believing the promises of God and acting accordingly, especially when it is hard and risky.
What are some occasions when you did not know where your food, clothing, or shelter would come from?
Did you demonstrate faith that God would provide?
Are you willing to obey God no matter the consequences, trusting that He will take care of you?
Do the promises in the Bible about future events have an impact on how you live your daily life, thus demonstrating faith and belief in the promises of God?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”