Pleasing God by Faith
Key Verse to Read and Treasure
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists ad that he rewards those who seek him—Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
For Insight
On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being low to not at all and 10 being high, where are you regarding having faith in God? Did you know it’s entirely possible to believe in God but not have faith in him?
In the Gospel of Luke Simeon exhibited a true faith. The Holy Spirit had told him he would not die until he saw the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah and he believed that promise and waited for what the Spirit had told him, to happen. Simeon lived in expectancy and God did not disappoint him.
On the day it was appointed to happen the Holy Spirit led Simeon to the temple where he found Mary and Joseph and Jesus (Luke 2). What a moment for Simeon when he got to hold the baby Jesus in his arms and investigate his beautiful face. What a moment when he was able to bless the Savior of the world! At that moment Simeon felt released to depart his earthly life in peace. He had seen what God had promised. He knew the Christ child to be the light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory for Israel.
God suffered Israel and he suffers us not just to come to the knowledge of or belief in him but to be people of faith. Moving us from belief to faith is not an easy task. Faith comes by hearing the Word and it takes root by experiencing the goodness of God firsthand.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year to come to both faith and belief in Jesus. We have an entire year to look back and see how the Lord has faithfully brought us through. How the Spirit has taken us by the hand just as he did Simeon and put us in the exact spot, we needed to be to receive what God has put in place for us. It’s a perfect time to reflect on the Lord’s goodness, provision, presence, and the fulfillment of his promises over our lives. To remember the moments and times we would not have made it through without him. Every moment, every trial, every struggle, every challenge, we experience is moving us from just believing in God to having faith in him also.
King of Glory, God of Grace may I patiently wait for your promises, like Simeon—prepared for your use in the work you have for me. Amen
Advent Mindfulness
Devotionally Yours 