Daily Bread – January 8, 2022 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the reality of things expected, the proof of what is not seen. What is reality to you? Most people live their lives on the logical predictions they forecast for themselves. For example, we predict our budgets based upon what money we make, and then we predict what we can and cannot do based upon that budget – which of course is all very sensible and rational. But, there is a superior reality to the one in which we forecast our present and future events – the reality of God’s promises! The Word of God and the promises of God produce faith. Fundamentally, God’s promises produce a good hope, or expectation, of the future. The Spirit of the Lord takes that hope and expectation into the realm of divine power and provides faith. We may trust in God to work on our behalf, but faith allows us to participate with God in the miracle. The Greek word ‘hypostasis’ (“realty” sometimes translated “substance”) was a word used exclusively in science in ancient Greece. The word expressed the hidden reality behind observable phenomenon (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament). Now, it is faith that makes our expectations in God a reality! Many want to make faith a set of philosophical beliefs or religious opinions, but it was not Daniel’s opinion’s that delivered him from the lion’s mouth (Hebrews 11:33; Daniel 6). It was not philosophical beliefs that caused Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to be untouched by the flames that engulfed them (Daniel 3:20-30). Noah was warned by God of unseen things and because he obeyed the word of God and did what appeared to men to be foolish he and his house was saved (Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 6-8). Abraham believed the promises of God and moved in obedience and stepped into a great inheritance (Hebrews 11:8-19; Romans 4; Genesis 12-22). Faith brings into reality those things God’s Word has led you to expect. Faith also demonstrates that which cannot be seen. Even as the worlds were made from unseen things, faith that comes by hearing the Word of God demonstrates those things which are not under the control of man.When we believe God and act in obedience to His Word, He will reward us with the promises He has made. God has promised to bless and prosper us, but we must move in accordance with His Word. He has promised to do exceedingly above all we can think or ask, but we must believe it is true – and obey! (Ephesians 3:20; John 15:7, 14-16) Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 1/8/2022
