Mon., 5/6/13 Devotion (Heb. 11:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 11:6, where we read these great words:

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

This verse (above) is so important. The Lord delights to see our faith in Him over anything else.  Why?  Because it leads to love for Him, (and this issues forth in Spirit-filled obedience). Many religious people think too little of faith. They are convinced that if they do extraordinary spir-itual things, God will somehow be moved to be impressed by them.

But alas, nothing is of any value without faith (in Christ). The next time we face any problem, let us simply say, "Lord, I am going to trust You through this struggle." If we are faith-filled churchmen, the Lord will be pleased with us, because He is perfectly pleased with His Son, in Whom all true Christians are found.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The law is but a dead letter in comparison to the word of the gospel. If you come merely to the law to hear the law preached, and not in a [gospel] way, you may hear it a hundred times and it will never be written in your hearts." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Worship"]