A False Security

Isaiah 28:14-22

Our Old Testament Scripture this week from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer is a short, relatively obscure passage from the Book of Isaiah.  Though written over 2,700 years ago, and referring to events from back then, there are still lessons that we can apply to our own lives here today.  Let’s take a look and see what God’s Word can teach us.

When we read our Bible, it is always helpful to have the historical context, to know what was going on at the time.  Isaiah was a prophet who ministered to the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah between 740 BC - 686 BC.  His ministry was during the reigns of four of Judah’s kings, including that of King Hezekiah.  It was during Hezekiah’s reign that the Northern Kingdom of Israel fell and was conquered by the Assyrian Empire.  The Assyrian emperor, Sennacherib, then set his eyes on Judah, and prepared to attack them.  It is with this background that our Scripture passage takes place.

The Northern Kingdom of Israel, Judah’s “sister” country, had recently been conquered by Assyria.  That empire was rapidly taking over and conquering nation after nation in the Middle East, and it was now perched and ready to begin its assault on Judah.  Naturally the people, including King Hezekiah and his political counsellors and leaders, were very nervous.  They were much smaller, and militarily no match for Assyria.  Who could or would help them?  There was talk by the political counsellors of the king to make an alliance with Egypt, and get their help, as they had a bigger and stronger army.  Where or who do you turn to when big, insurmountable troubles come your way?

The prophet Isaiah stepped in when he saw that the political and religious leaders were talking about turning to Egypt, to fellow humans for help rather than to God (vs. 14-15).  He called this a “covenant with death”, a metaphor for trusting in worldly alliances instead of God.  They may have thought that a political alliance with such a powerful nation as Egypt was a good idea, however Isaiah told them that it was a false security.  Egypt may help them this time, but they would be burdened with an alliance that may exact a heavy financial burden in money, grain, etc., and may turn on them themselves.  Plus, they were a pagan nation that worshiped a myriad of false idols.  Instead, they should turn to God who would bring them divine protection from their enemies.  Do we trust in worldly systems such as in our government, what wealth we can amass, or in human wisdom?  God wants our faithful love and trust to be in Him.  We must reject compromise and instead stand on Biblical truth.

Next Isaiah gives one of the many prophecies he made about the forthcoming Messiah (vs. 16).  The Lord Jesus is that precious Cornerstone, and our sure Foundation.  Both the apostles Peter and Paul make mention of this verse in their epistles (I Peter 2:6; Romans 9:33).  The actual physical salvation that the people of Judah needed from Assyria could only be found in God.  Today, our spiritual and eternal salvation is found only in the Lord Jesus.  He is the foundation of righteousness and justice, and we need to build our lives on Him alone, not on shifting cultural philosophies or political ideologies.

Isaiah used the word-picture of a builder to show how God measures truth and exposes the lies of false teachers and leaders (vs. 17).  These false doctrines and deceitful leaders, both then and now, will be swept away by God’s judgment.  How can we know false teachings from the truth?  We do so by testing all teaching with what is said in the Bible (Acts 17:11).  God’s Word is the true plumb line.

King Hezekiah did turn to the Lord for His help, and the Assyrian army turned away.  However, the people would continue to resist God’s truth, turning instead to false idols, and the nation of Judah would later be overthrown by the Babylonians (vs. 18-19).  When we reject God’s truth, we invite confusion and destruction.  Only repentance and faith in Jesus will bring peace.

Human wisdom is inadequate (vs. 20-22).  It cannot provide rest or protection.  God’s Word warns us to repent before judgment becomes irreversible.  Trusting in the Lord God is the only way we can find security, rest, and salvation, both now and in eternity.

Are you trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, or on worldly wisdom and philosophies?  Jesus is the only true foundation for salvation and righteousness, while everything else you may trust in is a false security.  Be vigilant against all false leaders and their words.  Measure everything that you are taught by the Bible.  Finally, don't delay in repentance.  Judah listened that time, but later they failed to listen and repent, and their judgment fell.  God’s warnings are His acts of mercy.  Turn to Him before the coming judgment falls.

Division

Luke 12:49-56

One description that many people like about Jesus is that of a peaceful Man.  They like to picture Him as Someone peaceful, perhaps as a Shepherd cradling a little lamb in His arms, or perhaps sitting with little children gathered around Him.  We like to picture Him in peaceful terms, and there is nothing wrong with that.  However, that would not be a complete picture of the Lord Jesus.  In today’s Scripture passage we see a facet of Jesus that many people might not know about, or one that they might like to ignore, or even perhaps eliminate.  Let’s see what this could be.

As we look into today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke we see Jesus say a statement that might surprise, shock, or even disturb some people, and that is His statement that He came not to give peace on earth, but rather division (vs. 51).   Also that Jesus said that He came to “send fire on the earth” (vs. 49).   This is quite different from the calm, placid, peace-loving Jesus that most people likes to see!

Jesus declared that He came to bring fire (vs. 49).  This fire is symbolic of divine judgment and purification.  The Old Testament prophet Malachi spoke of this as a refiner’s fire and an oven burning up stubble (Malachi 3:2-3, 4:1).  A refiner uses fire to heat up precious metals in order to separate the good from the bad, thus making the gold or silver pure.  Jesus will come again, and when He does this time, it will be with judgment, with a righteous and holy fire to confront sin and call for repentance.  This will not be a gentle or placid Jesus.

The baptism that Jesus spoke about in verse 50 was not a water baptism, like what He had with John the Baptist.  Instead, He was referring to His coming crucifixion, which was a baptism, an immersion into suffering and death.  His immense suffering and cruel death shows us just what the cost of our redemption was.  Jesus’ suffering was necessary to satisfy God’s justice and redeem sinners.

Next we come to some verses that many do not like to hear, and that is that Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace, but rather division, sometimes even within families (vs. 51-53).  This is not a contradiction of Jesus’ title of the Prince of Peace, which we read of in Isaiah 9:6, nor of what Jesus said when He promised His followers to give them peace (John 14:27).  The peace Jesus spoke of in the Gospel of John is a peace the Holy Spirit brings to a Christian’s heart despite what may be going on in their life or what is happening in the world.  These verses in today’s Scripture are showing us that the truth that Jesus brings will bring division between a believer and a non-believer.

The message that Jesus brings, the Words of truth in the Bible, are offensive to the unsaved and to the world.  They do not want to hear it, and the world continues to try and stamp it out.  Following Jesus Christ often means rejection by family members who resist the truth.  Unsaved parents do not like it when their children decide to follow the Savior instead of the paths they would want them to.  Unsaved children reject the Bible and its truth that their parents tried to teach them.  And when a believer marries into an unsaved family, that will often stir up strife.  Jesus is telling us that if we are going to stand firmly and loyally with Him and His Word, it may cost us some earthly relationships, including those in our own family.

The final segment of Scripture in this passage is a rebuke by the Lord to those who are able to interpret the weather by the clouds and the wind, but who fail to recognize the spiritual signs of the times (vs. 54-56).  Their eyes were blinded to the fact that the long-awaited Messiah was right there standing in their midst, and to their need to repent.  Multitudes today are just as blind to the signs of the end times.

In closing, Jesus is giving us word today at just what faithfully following Him might cost us, just as it cost Him when He was crucified for our sins.  Are we willing to make that sacrifice to follow Him, no matter the cost, including family?  He also stressed the importance of being spiritually alert, by being well-grounded in the Scriptures, and ready for His return.  Let us stay rooted in the Scriptures so as to be able to discern spiritual realities, preparing our hearts daily for Jesus’ return, and also be bold in proclaiming the truth, even when it causes division.

Running the Race

Hebrews 12:1-3

Some people like to go jogging on a regular basis for sport and exercise.  There are others who are part of the track and field teams in high school or college, trying to run as fast as they can for certain distance or around the race track.  Then there are those who are long distance runners, marathon runners, pacing themselves for a race of many, many miles.  Several cities around the world host annual marathon races.  Chicago, where I used to live, hosts a marathon race every October.  Perhaps you like to jog or take part in marathons, or perhaps you are like me, and would only run if your life depended upon it.  However, there is a race that we all take part in, one that we are in right now.  We read about this race in our brief Bible passage today.  Let’s see which race the Scriptures are talking about.

As we read our Scripture today from the Book of Hebrews, we see that we are in a race.  This is a race that we began the day that we were saved.  It is a marathon race, a long distance one, as it will last till the day we die or until Jesus returns.  God has marked a spiritual race for us to run.  The finish line is eternity with Jesus.  How well are we running this race?  There are some important things an actual athletic runner needs to know and follow when running an actual marathon, and likewise there are some important things that we, in our spiritual race, need to know and follow, as well.

The author of Hebrews, when writing this passage, first mentions that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (vs. 1).   If you’ve ever seen news clips of a city marathon, one thing you will notice is that there are crowds of people all along the route, and they are cheering the runners on as they pass by.  That’s important for a runner, as the encouragement they hear helps them keep on going.  The author here is referring to fellow believers who have gone on before.  Some of them are those mentioned in the previous chapter.  Others would be believers from the early days of the church until today, even some that we may have known, who are now with the Lord.  They are an active testimony to God’s faithfulness, and are “cheering” us on.  Other believers who are still with us today can help “cheer” us on to keep going with their encouragement and prayers.

Another thing that a long-distance marathon runner needs to know is to not carry any heavy weights or anything that might entangle him (vs. 1).  A runner certainly doesn’t want to be carrying a backpack filled with rocks or bricks, nor does he want to be wearing any bulky clothes.  Do we have any sinful habits that are hindering our spiritual progress?  Or perhaps some things that aren’t inherently sinful, but their presence in our life is slowing us down?  Get rid of them.  It is essential in our race to confess and forsake sin, and get rid of habits and distractions that slow our spiritual growth.  This race is lifelong and the finish line is eternity.

When running a race, it is important for the runner to keep his eyes and his mind on the finish line.  That is important, too, in our spiritual race.  We need to keep our eyes on Jesus (vs. 2).  When we take our eyes off of Him to focus on other runners around us, or on the world and its lures, that’s when we can trip, get hurt, or throw ourselves off course.  When driving, it is safest to focus our gaze farther down the road, not just 1’ in front of the car.  The same with our spiritual walk.  We need to focus our eyes on Jesus.

Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith (vs. 2).  He initiates and completes our faith.  He is both the Source and the Goal.  Sometimes our race may become difficult to keep going, but we need to remember what He went through.  Jesus endured the cross.  His suffering was real and voluntary, and now He is exalted and in authority.  Keep looking at Jesus, as He is both our example and our strength.  Meditating on Him and what He went through will be an encouragement for our weariness (vs. 3).

In a race, what’s most important is not how one begins, but how one finishes.  Prizes are awarded for crossing the finish line, not for great starts.  We can look at two contrasting Biblical examples, Mark (John Mark) and Demas.  Mark had gone with Paul and Barnabas, but got discouraged and left early (Acts 13:13).  Paul was upset with John Mark for that, but later, when he was about to be executed, Paul acknowledged that John Mark was useful for the ministry (II Timothy 4:11).  He later wrote the Gospel of Mark.  He had a bumpy start, but a very good finish.  Demas was called a fellow worker by Paul (Philemon 1:23-24), which indicates a good start.  However, later he deserted Paul for worldly things (II Timothy 4:10).  He had a bad finish.

You may have had a bumpy start.  Perhaps you are still stumbling along the path.  Toss off all of the unnecessary weight of sin and distractions, and keep your eyes focused on Jesus.  Listen to the crowds cheering you on.  Let’s continue our race, living with an eternal perspective, spiritual discipline, and an unwavering focus on Jesus.

Corrupt Leaders Held Accountable

Psalm 82

For as long as I can remember, and that is going back numerous decades, people have not had too favorable an opinion about politicians.  At least that is the case here in the U.S., and I’m guessing that is the case in many other countries, as well.  Whether right or left wing, people believe they are corrupt, dishonest, and rarely keep their promises.  People’s opinions about lawyers and judges aren't much better.  Yet, ideally, these are two groups of people that we really ought to be able to trust the most, as one group is to lead our country or state, and the other to defend us when we need the most help.  Since both politicians and those in the legal profession are in very powerful positions, it is more than just sad that they have a reputation for dishonesty and corruption.  In our psalm for today, the psalmist Asaph speaks of what God has to say when the powerful and mighty have become corrupt.  Let’s take a look.

Asaph is not a very familiar person from the Old Testament, so let’s take a quick look at who he was.  Asaph was a Levite who lived during the time of King David.  He was one of three men that the king commissioned to be in charge of singing in the house of the Lord.  He was also there when David’s son Solomon built and dedicated the Temple, and he performed at that ceremony.  Asaph wrote twelve of the psalms in the Bible, one of them being our psalm for today.

Corrupt leaders have been a problem throughout all of history, and here we see God rebuking these rulers for their failure to uphold justice for the people they are to be helping.  Asaph used a courtroom setting for the psalm, where God indicts the unjust judges and political leaders, and calls for righteous judgment for the people.

Many leaders, both in the political and legal professions, as they climb to greater and greater positions, start to think that they are all-powerful.  They feel that they make the rules, and everyone else better follow them.  They bend and twist the laws to be favorable to themselves and their friends and colleagues.  Asaph calls them here “gods”, with a small-case “g” (vs. 1, 6).  He is not speaking of any divine deity, but instead of mortal men who have been entrusted with divine responsibilities.  There are other professions  where people sometimes start to feel like they are god-like, such as in education or the medical fields.  These are people who are appointed human authorities, those who are expected to reflect God’s justice, His wisdom, kindness, and mercy, but who so often fail to do so.  Though many may suffer under the oppression of corrupt leaders, God will hold them accountable, condemning their partiality for themselves and friends, and their dishonesty (vs. 1-2).

Asaph then instructs these leaders in what they should have been doing all along, in what God expects from them in these leadership positions (vs. 3-4).  Instead of amassing wealth for themselves, and heartlessly taking advantage of others, they are to defend and bring justice to those who are the most vulnerable in society - the poor, the fatherless, and the needy.  All too often, though, these leaders are completely ignorant of the needs of the poor, which leads to instability and unrest in society (vs. 5).

Asaph then reminds these rulers that their power is only temporary, as they are all subject to God’s judgment (vs. 6-7).  Most of them never even think about their mortality, and that one day all the power they hold will one day end.  However, that day is coming, and they need to remember that God’s judgment will follow.  That is something that we all need to remember.  We may hold some position or another, and enjoy the perks and benefits that come with that, but one day that will end, and God will hold us accountable for how we used that position.  Did we think of others, and use whatever position or abilities we have to help the less fortunate?

As the psalm closes, Asaph prays for the day when God will judge the earth, and will rule over all nations (vs. 8).  That day will happen when the Lord Jesus returns to earth, which could be at any time.  He alone is the righteous Judge over all the earth, and leaders from all professions are answerable to Him for how they treat the poor and oppressed.  

God's Warning for False Prophets

Jeremiah 23:23-29

I can be fairly certain that nobody wants to be lied to.  We all want to hear the truth.   Advertising companies know how to make an item sound really good with their slick advertising commercials.  Are they telling us the truth?  Perhaps sometimes, but often we believe what they say, buy the item, and find out it is a piece of junk.  We all know about used car salesmen.  Some are good and honest, but far too many will smoothly tell their lies, trying to get us to believe them and buy from them.  They are not the only ones who will tell their lies with a smile on their face.  The prophet Jeremiah tells us of another group, ones who spread their false words, and who are far more dangerous to us than any used car salesman.  Let’s look into God’s Word to find out.

As we read this brief Scripture passage found in the middle of the Book of Jeremiah, we see that the group of people that God is warning us about are false prophets.  These are false religious leaders, who preach messages that they claim are from God, but which He tells us are not.  There were some back in the days of Jeremiah, who wanted the people to believe they were sent by God.  Unfortunately there are plenty today, preachers in the pulpits and often on television, who claim they are giving us God’s message, but who are just as much a false prophet as the one’s warned about in today’s Scripture.

Why would a preacher want to give a false message to people?  For one, if they preach a message that everyone likes to hear, one that “tickles the ears” of the congregation, he will become popular, and his congregation will grow.  A growing congregation means more money in the offering.  There are some TV preachers that only preach positive, fluffy, feel-good messages, ones that tell them how good they are, how they were born to win, to be a champion, be their best self, but never mention the reality that we are all sinners and in need of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Another lying message false prophets of today say is that if you give money, particularly to their ministry, you will become rich.  They want you to believe that they are concerned with your being blessed and get rich, but in reality they are only concerned with getting and staying rich themselves, and with buying their next private jet or giant mansion.

Other false prophets or preachers preach messages saying that we are all “little gods”, which is a false twisting of Scriptures to boost their own egos.  They claim that they have a “special” message from God, that He spoke directly to them, or gave them a special dream or vision.  Other false teachings that some spread is that Jesus is not God, but just a good teacher, like so many other teachers.  They preach that the Bible is not God’s inspired Word, but that it “contains” some of God’s words, or that only parts of the Bible can be believed.  One could go on and on, listing untruthful teachings these false prophets are spreading.

One thing that is common among the false prophets of today and in Jeremiah’s day is that they are not afraid of what God has to say.  They do not think that He hears their words, that He is far off, far away in heaven or someplace, but that He certainly doesn’t know or bother to care what is going on here on earth.  However, God has news for them.  His true messenger Jeremiah gave us His Words, saying that God is omnipresent and omniscient.  He is everywhere and knows everything (vs. 23-24), nor is He confined to one location.  There is no place one can hide from Him.  We need to be aware that nothing is hidden from God, and knowing this should produce reverence and accountability in us.

God condemned these false prophets, those who claimed divine revelations but instead were speaking lies from their own imagination (vs. 25-27).  He condemns the false prophets today who are also leading people away from God, from His message of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Before we accept anyone’s message or teaching, we must test all that they say against Scripture (Acts 17:10-11).  Nothing that is preached or taught can be authoritative unless it aligns solidly with God’s Word, the Bible.

God’s Word purifies, like fire does, and also breaks hardened hearts like a hammer (vs. 29).  It is powerful, transformative, and authoritative.  God’s true Word is nourishing and life-giving, such as wheat, while false teachings are empty and worthless, like chaff (vs. 28).  We must be able to discern substance from fluff, as not all religious speech is spiritually profitable.  In some cases it is outright dangerous, as it can lure us away from the truth and bring spiritual damnation to our souls.

Only God’s Word carries divine authority.  Christians must reject teachings that contradict the Bible, no matter how popular or emotionally appealing they may be, or what society is saying.  A true prophet or preacher will speak God’s Word faithfully, not their own message.  To keep from falling victim to false teaching, take your Bible out, read and study it, and then test the message of the preacher against what God’s Word actually says.

Be Ready And Alert

Luke 12:32-40

At the risk of sounding like a home security commercial, there is a home burglary happening somewhere on the earth at every moment.  Perhaps you have been the unfortunate victim of such a crime.  They may take your expensive jewelry, or jewelry that might not be expensive, but which has sentimental value, as it belonged to your mother or grandmother.  They may take valuable artwork, or expensive computers or computer gaming equipment.  You come home and all of your treasures have been stolen.  In our Gospel reading for today, the Lord Jesus speaks to us about what we hold as treasured items, and how to avoid having our treasures stolen.

As our Scripture passage begins, the Lord Jesus calls His followers here “little flock” (vs. 32).  We are like a small group of sheep, seeking to follow our Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16), as He lovingly cares and protects us.  He tells us that it is God’s pleasure to give His children, His “little flock” the Kingdom.  It is His gift, not something that we earn.  It is something that God is happy to bestow upon us.

Jesus proceeds to give us some instructions on how we, His little flock, should live (vs. 33-34).  He wants us to be making eternal investments instead of storing up temporal or earthly wealth.  This is not teaching us socialism or communal living.  Instead it is a call to personal sacrifice and having generosity which is rooted in our faith in Him.  Instead of having a house filled with treasures that would break our hearts if they were stolen, or things we watch grow old and break down, Jesus suggests we might be more happy if we sell them and give the money to the poor.  That way they won’t grow old and gather dust in our homes, or be at risk of getting stolen.  Then we can begin gathering treasures in heaven.

What we invest our time and money in, what we talk about, what we keep returning to in our mind reveals what is really in our heart, and what is truly our “treasure”.  Jesus asks us whether our treasure is the “stuff” we have in our homes, or is our treasure what we have laid up in heaven?  If it is an earthly treasure, then it can be stolen, broken, or taken away.  However if we have been working on building a heavenly treasure, we can relax, knowing that type of treasure is eternally safe and sound.

The Lord then proceeds to tell us about the good servant (vs. 35-40).  The good servant is going about his tasks while the master is out, so that when he returns home, the master finds him hard at work, doing what he is supposed to.  He is ready and prepared for when the master returns.  This pictures how we, as Christians need to be as we wait for the return of the Lord Jesus.  Are we ready, just like the good servant is for his master’s return?  Having one’s waist girded and lamp burning show a picture of one being prepared and vigilant.  They are ready at all times, as the master may come early, or he may be delayed.  We don’t know when Jesus is returning, so we must be ever vigilant and ready.  We need to be spiritually alert and morally pure at all times.

If an earthly master will reward the servant who is ready and doing what he should be when the master returns, how much more will the Lord reward His children who are ready and doing what they should when He returns? (vs. 37-38).   Jesus will honor and reward faithful believers.  When we serve Him wholeheartedly now, we can know that He will reward us in eternity.

The Lord then returns to the thought of a thief breaking in and stealing our belongings (vs. 39-40).  If we knew ahead of time exactly what time that thief would come, we would be there ready and waiting, preventing him from breaking in.  What gives the thief the upper hand is the element of surprise.  He picks a time when we’re away, when we’re asleep, or otherwise not paying attention.  Jesus’ warning is to be alert, ready, and prepared.  We do not know when He will return.  It might be soon, or it might be a number of years away.  However, it could be this afternoon!

Knowing that, we should be spiritually prepared at all times.  Don’t delay in repenting of sins, or in obeying His Word, the Bible.  Don’t be like the lazy servant or unprepared homeowner, and slumbering when we should be vigilant and alert.  We can rest in the promises Jesus gives us.  Remember, we are His little flock!

Faith and Hope

Hebrews 11:1-6

Around the world there are various Halls of Fame.  Some are officially titled a hall of fame, such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and various sports Halls of Fame.  Then there are places where many very famous people from all different backgrounds are buried, such as Westminster Abbey.  Although a grand church, since so many famous people are buried there, it is like a hall of fame.  Here in the 11th chapter of Hebrews we find what has often been called “Faith’s Hall of Fame”.  Here we find listed many of the great people of faith whose accounts are recorded in the Old Testament.  The first several verses of this great chapter describe what faith and hope are, as an encouragement for us to grow in these virtues.  Let’s see what our Scripture has to say.

As chapter 11 begins, we read that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (vs. 1).  When we have faith, we have confidence in things that we have not yet experienced or seen, but believe based on God’s promises.  Faith has full trust in God and His Word.  It is not merely intellectual assent, but a spiritual conviction rooted in God’s Word.  When you have faith, you have the assurance that what God has said will come to pass.  It is not blind, but is based on the reliability of God’s Word.

The word “hope” in the New Testament does not mean wishing for something, as it is often used in a secular context.  It is the Greek word “elpis”, which is expectation, trust, or confidence.  Whatever trials and tribulations we are asked to endure, we have hope or trust that if not in this life, then in the next we will be better off.  We hope or trust that God’s promises are sure and that He is with us through all things.  Biblical hope is a certainty that our ultimate future rests in God’s capable, loving hands.  It is an assurance that the invisible God is faithful and has a good plan in my visible life.  Our testimony before others is strengthened by having unwavering faith and hope in God’s promises, just as these Old Testament believers listed in this chapter were (vs. 2).

The author of Hebrews next lists three examples of faith before he goes into the whole “hall of faith”.  The first is having faith in Creation (vs. 3).  The world mocks Christians and the Biblical account of Creation, instead pushing their theory of evolution, which is contrary to what God has stated in His Word.  This verse in Hebrews refutes evolution and affirms a literal, divine creation as taught in Genesis 1.  Christians accept Creation by faith, not because we saw it, but because God declared it.  This is an example of having faith, and believing in what God says.

Next we look at Abel, the second child born to Adam and Eve (vs. 4).  Abel grew up to be a sheep herder, while his older brother Cain was a farmer.  When the two came to bring a sacrifice to God, Abel’s offering was accepted because it was given in faith, unlike Cain’s (Genesis 4:1-5).  God had prescribed a blood sacrifice, which we see earlier when God sacrificed a lamb to make clothing for Adam and Eve, to cover and atone for their sin (Genesis 3:21).  Without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22).  Abel knew this, and brought the proper sacrifice.  Cain could have traded some of his good crops to his brother for a lamb.  Trading of goods has been historically accepted throughout all of history, and he could have done that.  Abel’s sacrifice pointed to the necessity of blood atonement, which was fulfilled in the Lord Jesus.  Faith like Abel’s leads to obedience and the type of worship that pleases God.

Next we read about Enoch, (vs. 5), a godly man who is only briefly mentioned in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 5:21-24).  Enoch lived a life so filled with faith and godliness that one day God just decided to take him to heaven without him dying.  There have only been two people that God did that for, Enoch here, and then the prophet Elijah.  It will happen again one day when Jesus returns and brings all believers to heaven.  Enoch’s life was marked by walking with God in a daily, faithful relationship.  Faith isn’t just for crisis moments.  It is a lifestyle of communion with God, which Enoch had.

As this segment of Scripture closes, the author reminds us that faith is necessary in order to please God (vs. 6).  Faith is not optional, it is essential.  The very foundation of our relationship to God is our faith in Him.  We must choose to have faith in God despite what our outward circumstances might be saying.  We also should declare God’s greatness and His love over our life, whether we feel like it or not.  Our feelings are not always accurate.  They can deceive us at times.  Salvation, sanctification, and service all hinge on faith.  Works without faith are dead, and faith without works is incomplete (James 2:17-18).

Do you have faith in God?  Do you believe that He will answer your prayers and will provide for your needs?  Faith goes beyond just saying that God exists.  Faith is following Him all the days of our life.  Faith is trusting Him, even in the worst situations, and remembering Him in the best.  God honors those who seek Him in faith - not casually, but diligently like Abel and Enoch.