Faith: The Essential Ingredient

Friday, November 14

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

“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.”

Devotion

Imagine having a home without furniture. Brushing your teeth without toothpaste. Having Thanksgiving without the themed turkey dish. The list can go on.

We may think to ourselves, of course it’s common sense! These are the basics! Furniture helps make a home feel like home. We can’t have clean teeth or fresh breath without toothpaste. Who has Thanksgiving dinner without the turkey?!

Faith is the baseline in our relationship with God. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, faith is defined as loyalty or allegiance to a person or duty, trust in a person or thing, or belief in something for which there is no proof. It is also described as belief and trust in, and loyalty to, God, or a specific system of religious beliefs.

The Scripture in Hebrews reminds us how important faith is in our relationship with Him. An earlier verse emphasizes this importance as well — Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. For by it the people of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible.”

We know by the Word of God that He is present. His Word communicates how much He loves us, cares for us, and is always present in times of trouble. Trusting Him by believing in His Word helps us build faith and better connect in our relationship with God. Praying and reading the Bible are absolutely essential in continuously building our faith in the Lord.

Faith can be shaken by the things of this world; however, we can rely on His promises to rebuild faith and have confidence in His great belief and love for us.

Faith is our bread and butter. Without turkey, Thanksgiving is not the same. Without toothpaste, what’s the point of brushing your teeth? Without furniture, our home is not exactly home — it’s just a place.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You that I can come to You in faith. I trust in You because of who You are. You are life to me. You have proven Your love, compassion, and faithfulness time and time again. I just wanted to let You know how grateful I am for Your unfailing love toward me. Thank You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Based on today’s scripture verse, Hebrews 11:6a, “He that comes to God must believe that He is.” Know Him in whom you have believed. Make a list of all the names of God you are familiar with, for they reveal His character (e.g., Prince of Peace, Immanuel, Jehovah Jireh—the Lord my Provider, Jehovah Rapha—the Lord my Healer, etc.). This is who He is for you. Then Hebrews 11:6b says, “and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Seek Him diligently, and you will find Him, as He will reward you with Himself.

Resources

• True faith isn’t just belief—it’s action. See it for yourself in this quick clip! What is True Faith?

• Join our Connect Group and take the next step in growing your faith through fellowship, prayer, and God’s Word!