"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hebrews 11:6
The life of George Müller, a 19th-century evangelist and founder of orphanages in England, stands as a testament to the power of faith in God. Müller's unwavering trust in God's provision led him to care for thousands of orphans without ever asking for financial support. Instead, he relied solely on prayer and faith to meet the needs of the children in his care. Müller's story demonstrates the incredible rewards that come from seeking God in faith.
It is impossible to please God without faith. It is the foundation of our relationship with Him, the very bedrock upon which our spiritual lives are built. To draw near to God, we must believe not only in His existence but also that He is a loving, rewarding God who deeply cares for those who seek Him.
The Meaning of Hebrews 11:6
According to the book of Hebrews, faith is defined as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the belief and trust in God's promises and His character, even when we cannot see the tangible evidence of His work. It is the foundation of our relationship with God and is essential for drawing near to Him.
In the Bible, there are numerous examples of how God rewarded those who sought Him. Some of these rewards include:
Noah
God warned Noah of the impending flood and instructed him to build an ark to save his family and the animals. Noah's faith led to the salvation of his family and the continuation of life on earth (Hebrews 11:7).
Abraham
God called Abraham to leave his homeland and journey to a land that God would show him. Abraham's faith was rewarded with numerous descendants, the Promised Land, and the establishment of the nation of Israel (Hebrews 11:8-12).
Moses
Moses trusted in God's guidance and led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Despite numerous challenges and setbacks, Moses' faith was rewarded with the deliverance of his people and the establishment of a covenant between God and Israel (Hebrews 11:23-29).
Rahab
Rahab, a Canaanite woman, demonstrated her faith by hiding the Israelite spies and helping them escape from Jericho. Her faith was rewarded with the salvation of her family and a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:31).
Application of Hebrews 11:6
Today, God continues to reward those who seek Him with a variety of blessings. Some of these rewards may include:
Spiritual growth
As we draw closer to God and seek to know Him more intimately, our faith deepens, and our understanding of His character and ways expands.
Peace and joy
In the midst of life's challenges, seeking God provides us with an inner peace and joy that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Guidance and wisdom
As we seek God's will and direction for our lives, He provides us with the wisdom and guidance necessary to navigate our decisions and circ*mstances (James 1:5).
Eternal life
Our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior guarantees our salvation and the promise of eternal life with God (John 3:16).
Answered prayers
As we seek God and present our requests to Him in prayer, He hears and answers our prayers according to His will and purpose (1 John 5:14-15).
While the rewards we receive from seeking God may differ in form and timing, we can trust that God always honors and blesses those who earnestly seek Him and place their faith in Him.
A Prayer for Faith
Heavenly Father, creator of all things, I come before You today with a humble heart, seeking to grow in my faith. I recognize that without faith, it is impossible to please You or draw closer to You. I long to believe in Your promises and trust in Your divine wisdom.
Lord, I ask You to strengthen my faith, so that it may be unwavering and steadfast. Help me to see Your hand in the midst of life's challenges and to trust in Your plans, even when the path ahead seems unclear. Please provide me with the courage to face uncertainty and the wisdom to learn from my experiences.
As I walk through life, may Your Holy Spirit guide and uplift me, so I never lose sight of the eternal blessings You have in store for those who believe. Teach me to be patient in times of waiting and to be gracious in times of abundance. May I always remember to share Your love with others and to be a living testimony of Your faithfulness.
Father, I thank You for Your unconditional love and endless mercies. I pray that my faith may be a source of inspiration and hope to others, so they too may seek You and experience the depth of Your love. In Your glorious name, I pray. Amen.
Nathan | Editor | Bible Lyfe
A graduate of Asbury Seminary, Nathan co-founded Christ Community Church with a fervent mission to serve the poor while making disciples of all nations. In 2017, he started Bridgetown Ventures, a ministry that empowers the marginalized to be architects of change in their own communities. In his transformative book, Storm the Gates, Nathan invites readers to embody the core values essential to fulfilling the Great Commission, serving as a clarion call for compassion, faith, and global discipleship.
