Running Our Race in Faith

Many thanks to Mrs. B for her insightful and encouraging words.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

As I have gotten older, I have found myself wondering if my life has been pleasing to God. Have I served enough, prayed enough, repented enough? Recently I was reminded of this verse – without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him! Let me explain how this has caught my attention.

In the first few chapters of Genesis, Cain and Abel brought their offerings to the Lord.  The Lord accepted Abel’s sacrifice, but not Cain’s. Why? A man named Enoch is discussed in chapter 5; he walked with God, and then God took him to heaven without experiencing physical death. Why? In chapter 6 God was sorry and grieved in His heart that He had made man, and He decided to blot out every creature. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord and was saved. Why? Then Abraham and Sarah -- they were blessed beyond anything we can imagine with as many descendents as the stars in heaven! Again, why?

The key is found in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews - “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval” (v. 1-2).   

Verse 4 says that by faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain – because Abel offered it with faith. Enoch was taken up by faith, which was pleasing to God. Noah prepared an ark by faith so that his household could be saved, and it says in verse 7 that he became an “heir of the righteousness with is according to faith.” Abraham obeyed God by faith and left his home country, and later Sarah, by faith, took God at His word and received the ability to conceive in her old age.

As those who love God and who serve Him in various ministries to our families and the Body of Christ, how can we be pleasing to Him through those? On the one hand, we can do NOTHING to please Him – our righteousness is as filthy rags to Him, and the only way to please Him is to come to Him through the righteousness of Christ. Yet on the other hand, this verse clearly says that there IS a way to please Him – we can bring our offering of ministry and lift it up to Him by faith. We can turn our hearts to Him and trust His Word – that He will do what He has promised to do.

… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for these examples that are written down for us, including Your perfect example. Thank You that I can be pleasing to You by running my race in faith, believing in who You are and believing in Your promises.  I am so grateful.

Challenge: Reflect this week on the promises God has given to you in His Word and to your own heart.  Commit to trusting Him all over again that He will do what He said He will do. Purposefully push aside doubts and fear by fixing your eyes on Him.

Mrs. B :) 2012