WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.”
Hebrews 11:7 ESV
FAITH IN ACTION
Brian Bell introduced his sermon on the Hebrews 11 with this illustration: The mighty Niagara River plummets some 180 feet at the American and Horseshoe Falls. Before the falls, there are violent, turbulent rapids. Farther upstream, however, where the river’s current flows more gently, boats are able to navigate. Just before the Welland River empties into the Niagara, a pedestrian walkway spans the river. Posted on this bridge’s pylons is a warning sign for all boaters: “Do you have an anchor?” followed by, “Do you know how to use it?” Faith, like an anchor, is something we need to have and use to avoid spiritual catastrophe!
God gave Noah a “warning sign” that He was going to flood the earth. Noah’s faith in what God said led him to actions that would save Noah and his family. Noah had never even seen rain before. Yet, Noah didn’t just believe God. Noah also acted on what he believed.
The Bible is very clear that saving faith isn’t just a head knowledge about God. Saving faith is always translated into action. Similarly, Biblical love isn’t just words. Biblical love is translated into actions. When we have faith in God and love for God it can be seen through our daily choices. In the illustrations above, the bridge pylon warning signs asked two questions: 1. Do you have an anchor? 2. Do you know how to use it? Hebrews is asking two similar questions: 1. Do you have faith as an anchor? 2. Do you know how to use it?
