Define or Participate?

Daily Reading: Hebrews 11

Now faith... (Hebrews 11.1)

Devotional Thought: Yesterday, as we were leaving our daughter and son-in-law's house, Wade, our grandson, ran to the door to say goodbye to Nana.  Through the glass he said, "I wuv you, Nana!"  It took Nana forever to tear herself away from the door and come to the car.  It's one thing to read a definition of love: it's quite another to be a participant in it!  The same is true for faith. 

Hebrews 11 is called "The Faith Chapter."  It begins with a wonderful definition: "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  Assurance... Hope... Conviction...  Those words resonate with my mind.  I love reading them, and I am helped by them.  But then, the writer does something that resonates with my heart: He draws back the curtain on the experiences of those who have been participants in the life of faith:

·       Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice to God.

·       Enoch was taken up to God.

·       Noah saved his family by building an ark designed by God.

·       Abraham received an inheritance from God.

·       Moses delivered the people of God.

·       David and others conquered kingdoms and put foreign armies to flight.

·       Women received their dead back to life.

But not all the stories had fairy-tale endings:

·       Some were tortured.

·       Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment.

·       Others were stoned, sawn in two, and killed with the sword.

·       Still others were destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.

Of these, we are told, the world was not worthy.

Are you a participant in the life of faith?  When your story is written, will it move the hearts of those who come behind you?

Prayer: Lord, I don't want to just define faith, or even read about it in the lives of others.  I long to be a person of faith.  Help me to receive what is promised.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 55.16-23

16 But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.

17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.

19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.

20 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.

21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.