“DILIGENTLY!”

Hebrews 11:4-13                       (ESV)

“4 By FAITH Abel offered to GOD a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, GOD commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his FAITH, THOUGH HE DIED, he still speaks.

5 By FAITH Enoch was TAKEN UP so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD.

6 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.

7 By FAITH Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by FAITH.

8 By FAITH Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By FAITH he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is GOD.

11 By FAITH Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered HIM FAITHFUL WHO had promised.

12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH, not having received the things promised, BUT having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

While pondering various different things that GOD has been dealing with me recently, my mind was recalling a conversation I had with a dear friend who said “you have a gift for sharing the devotionals GOD sheds on you with others”!   Now not all of my friends are exactly “all there”, at least in the strictest definition, so I don’t place a tremendous amount of credence in all of their observations.  But while researching the word “DILIGENTLY”, I came across the intriguing passage above.  

The various people mentioned in the passage above ALL had one thing in common, THEY HAD FAITH!  When someone says to ‘grow our FAITH, LORD”, I am reminded of Luke 17:5 where the disciples said  "LORD, Increase our FAITH!"  They KNEW JESUS as well as any other people on Earth, yet they wanted, AND NEEDED, their FAITH increased to KNOW HIM MORE!!!

While quietly driving recently, my mind was caused to almost BEG THE LORD to speak to me, not about anything specific, but to make HIS PRESENCE in my life apparent, like HE did with Moses in Exodus 34:29-33.  After all, the people in Hebrews 11 ALL DIED IN FAITH (Hebrews 11:13), yet I want to LIVE IN FAITH!  But I need to realize that the completion of my FAITH will only come when I enter the gates of THAT CITY.  Until then, I am “DILIGENTLY” requesting HIS GLORY be revealed in my life, solely to GLORIFY HIM!  Then the Scripture Proverbs 8:17 was revealed to me, which says “I (GOD) love those who love ME, and THOSE WHO SEEK ME “DILIGENTLY” find ME”.  

GOD ALMIGHTY has a way of speaking with to, NOT JUST ME, but anyone who “DILIGENTLY” seek HIM!  All of the people listed in Hebrews 11 had FAITH that GOD existed, and that HE would do what HE Promised them HE would do!  GOD will speak to you, but you MUST have FAITH that HE will do what HE says HE will do!  Not just hope HE WILL, but “DILIGENTLY” Believe HE will!!!!