Monday, November 21, 2022

           Many sports, professions, organizations and pursuits have a “hall of fame.”  and to be enshrined in a hall of fame is usually a high honor.  An inductee into a hall of fame has reached the pinnacle of success in a chosen field.  You may be surprised to learn that the Bible has not a hall of fame but a hall of faith.  Hebrews 11 is often called a “hall of faith.”  We learn how God sees faith and what His expectations are of us.  The opening two verses give us a wonderful summary of what faith is and how it works.  We read, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for” (Hebrews 11:1-2).  A few lessons stand out for us about faith.
            First, faith “is.”  That might sound or look confusing.  But faith is.  Faith “is” means that faith is something we do.  It is an action that we undertake.  We place our faith in someone, something or somewhere.  Faith is not passive; it is not an idle or whimsical hoping or wishing.  Faith is leaning upon something or someone.  Faith is resting one’s full weight and trust on something that is reliable and trustworthy.  For us, faith is best placed in Christ.  We trust in Him and His finished work at the cross for our salvation and forgiveness. 
            Second, faith is “confidence in what we hope for.”  We know that God will work on our behalf for His glory and to bring about what He has promised to do.  We can be confident that God knows our situation in life.  We can be confident that God will take action on our behalf.  We are not alone, forgotten or forsaken.  God is not weak or impotent.  God is a bulwark that never fails.  He is our anchor in storms and our rudder through turbulent times and waters.
            Third, we have assurance about what we do not see.  We cannot see God, yet we trust in Him.  We cannot see the future yet we trust that God will meet our needs and provide for us.  We cannot see the way the world will end yet we trust that God is writing the final words of history and will bring His creation to the end that He wishes to see.  We wake up each day not knowing what the day will hold but we have the firm assurance that God knows the future, has already seen the day that is unfolding and will provide for us throughout the circumstances of the day.
            The Bible teaches that we live by faith and not by sight.  Living by sight can be confusing and even frightening.  We can be sidelined and tripped up by what our eyes behold each day.  It is much better to trust what we see and what we cannot see to the Lord and trust Him to bring life and faith to completion.  We are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  This week would be a good time to celebrate the victories that God has brought to you by faith.  Remember and recall where God has been at work and what He has done.  When you express your thanks to God, you are even acknowledging by faith that you believe He will continue to work in your life and continue to provide for you.  Let faith be your compass and heading.  Let faith be the steering wheel of your life.  Let faith be your windshield.  Have a great Monday and remember you can worship with us anytime at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.