SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 11
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. [Hebrews 11:1]
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” [John 20:29]
The heart of faith is confidence in something or someone that remains to be seen.
I am confident that God exists, even though I cannot see or prove Him; I am confident that Jesus has saved me from sin, death and hell… though that still remains to be seen.
Can I prove it, no; but do I feel it to be true, yes!
And like all these people listed here, I am prepared to base my life on it.

There is a cost or sacrifice for faith, but there is also a reward: blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” [John 20:29]
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. [Hebrews 11:6]
Obviously, it takes faith to believe that God exists, but part of that faith is the confidence that God is good, that he cares, and that He will bless and reward those who earnestly seek and serve Him.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. [Matthew 7:7-8]
Here is the promise that those who earnestly seek Him will be blessed, will be rewarded – not just financial reward but the hearts deepest desire, God Himself.

We believe that God exists, but we also believe that God is good, beyond all expectation.
Based on this trust, the people mentioned in this chapter made huge sacrifices in this life because they anticipated something bigger, something better, something enduring, something eternally worth it!
Their view of God as loving Father led them to conclude that God could be trusted: Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! [Matthew 7:7-11]

I do not believe in God, or follow Jesus, because I am expecting a huge reward for it.
No, for me to believe in God and to follow Jesus meets my deepest need and desire, it addresses the real problem in me and offers a real and lasting solution.
We were made for God, nothing else will ever satisfy or last.
With God back in our life, everything else will come together; without God in our life, everything else will fall apart.

Earnestly seek Him… earnestly seek Him… these words keep repeating in my heart and mind.
I hear the Lord saying to me: make it your #1 goal, purpose and priority this coming year to seek me first; you will be rewarded!

PRAYER:
Lord, My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek [Psalms 27:8]. This is my new year’s resolution for 2011.