Hebrews 11:1,6 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ... And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. These verses make it clear that faith is the foundation for a relationship with God. If our goal is to know and please Him, we must believe what He has revealed about Himself. One important revelation we find here and throughout Scripture is that God “rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” He invites us to believe not only that He exists but that He is actively calling us to a deeper, more intimate and rewarding life in Him. Even though we cannot see Him, faith assures us it is well worth the effort to seek the Lord diligently through prayer and fasting. This has been the experience of great men and women of God through the centuries—faith, prayer and fasting working together as we draw near to God. Andrew Murray, noted missions leader and devotional writer, summarized it this way: Faith needs a life of prayer in which to grow and keep strong … prayer needs fasting for its full and perfect development. … Prayer is the one hand with which we grasp the invisible; fasting, the other, with which we let loose and cast away the visible. “Though you have not seen him,” the Apostle Peter writes, “you love him; and though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). There is unimaginable blessing in a life of faith that lets go of the visible to embrace the invisible and glorious God. Prayer: Lord, we live so much of our lives by sight and not by faith. Teach us to believe you and pursue you earnestly by faith. Show us how to let go of the visible and enter into the glorious and inexpressible joy that is only found in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
