Hebrews 11:30-40
Rahab teaches us that we can have faith and do what's right regardless of our background. She trusted God to spare her and her family from destruction when Jericho was destroyed. Not only did she trust God, but she acted on her faith by hiding the spies. So many times we tend to trust everyone and everything BUT God. Our hope is not in the government, the President, the Supreme Court, the banks, or anything but the Lord! vv. 30-31
In vv. 32-35 we see many victories which came to people because of their faith. We can rejoice that God does often bring dramatic victories to those who trust Him. However, vv. 36-38 remind us that we, as Christians, are not promised an easy life even when we DO have faith. Terrible persecution in this life is always a possibility, but we must remember that our true home is in the next life. We, like these people of old, place our "hope in a better life after the resurrection."
We remember these heroes of the faith, but they didn't not receive all of God's promises in their lifetime, because they died before Christ was born. Yet, we see in v. 40 that one day believers from the Old Testament era as well as from the New Testament will one day, because of our faith, share heaven together! v. 40
Psalm 130
What a great psalm for reflection today. Psalm 130 assures us that the Lord is a God of forgiveness. If we sincerely confess our sins, out of a heart of true sorrow and repentance, He offers us forgiveness! He doesn't keep a record of our sins, and we can surely praise Him for that! vv. 3-4 This should remind us that it's not a good idea to keep remembering our own sins or those of others either! Once God has forgiven us, let's let it go! We put our hope in His Word, and we long for him even as we long for the dawn during a sleepless night. vv. 5-6
No comments:
Post a Comment