Promises Laid Hold of by Faith

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011-13&version=NIV

I absolutely love Hebrews 11 - often referred to as the "Hall of Faith". Reading it reminds me of the turn my own faith has taken over the years. For too many years I walked not be faith, but by hope. Not the kind of hope referred to in verse one, for that is a certain hope that stands on faith in a certain God. My hope was more of a 'I hope God promised this' or 'I hope I matter enough that God would do this for me', or a 'Show me the evidence so that I might have hope' type hope. But that is really no hope at all.

Over the years, though, God has refined my faith, and I've began to understand what it means to walk in the type of faith that "is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"(Hebrews 11:1). Here are some of the things that I've learned:

Promises are laid hold of by faith. That's the bottom line. It's not about earning God's favor (I've certainly tried that). It is not about the fact that God favors certain people either. It is simply a matter of faith. The problem is that too often we are all too happy to walk by faith - as long as we can see the action. But that is not faith at all - it simply is believing what we are seeing. Faith is believing that God is moving on your behalf even if you cannot see it. Faith is taking God at his word. Faith is walking in obedience and confidence that God is a God who keeps his promises - and I assure you He is - you simply need to read Hebrews 11 to see it - and know that God is the same God yesterday, today, and forever Hebrews 13:11).

God will give you the strength to hold on to his promises if you ask. I can remember two different times when I asked God to just assure me he was working even if I couldn't see. One day I specifically asked God to help me believe he was working on my behalf on something I was waiting on. Two minutes after praying that I walked into our work room at school and one of my fellow teachers said, "Listen to this, I think it is for you", and started reading a devotional someone sent her. What she read to me was this, "I am working on your behalf, even when you cannot see what I am doing." God will give you the strength to hold on when you walk in faith.

Long delays do not make the promise less valid - rather they are part of God's perfect plan for a greater display of his glory. Consider the story of Abraham - how much more glorious for a child to be born when it seems impossible. Consider Daniel in the lion's den - how much greater the glory when he is among the lion's then if he never was thrown into the den. Consider Lazarus being raised from the dead. How much greater the glory when God creates life after the body already stinks. Indeed Jesus declared that he was glad he wasn't there before Lazarus was dead for the sake the the disciples, so that they may believe. He also said, "Did I not tell you if you believe you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40).

My precious friends - of this I am sure and certain - God is a God who keeps his promises - they are laid hold of by faith and faith alone. And if you believe, I am absolutely certain that you will see the glory of God. I pray that you would know this also, I pray that you would seek God first in all you do, that you would come to know him so well that you can walk in faith in the unseen until the day that it becomes seen. And I pray, precious friends, that you will share your story and God's glory with all who hear what he has done for you.

Be encouraged, be blessed my precious friends.

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." - Psalm 27:13

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels