FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
WITHOUT FAITH
An atheist said to a Quaker, “Have you ever seen God? Have you ever felt God? Have you ever smelled God? And you say you have a God!” After a long pause, the Quaker replied, “Hast thou ever seen thy brains? Hast thou ever felt thy brains? Hast thou ever smelled thy brains? And thou sayest thou hast brains!” There probably are very few atheists—those who have seriously thought about life and concluded that there is no God. There are more agnostics—thinking people who say, “I don’t know.” The vast majority of individuals, however, affirm—at least intellectually—that God exists. (Our Daily Bread)
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that recognizing God’s existence is the first step to knowing Him personally. Then we must seek Him and believe that He will reward our quest to know Him. Albert Barnes comments that Hebrews 11:6 means “Without confidence in God–in His fidelity, His truth, His wisdom, His promises. God. He cannot be pleased with the man who has no confidence in Him; who doubts the truth of His declarations and promises; who does not believe that His ways are right, or that He is qualified for universal empire.”
REFLECTION
How have you sought God? What are some of the things you’ve discovered about God that have led you to a place of faith? How do you believe God rewards those who seek Him?
PRAISE
Thank God for the acceptance you have from Him by grace through faith. Praise God for the rewards He has promised you.
