Thursday, January 15, 2015

1/16/15- Faith in the Beginning Toward the End

1Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.
3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. (Hebrews 11:1-4)

Thoughts:
By faith we understand the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.  Some look at the Big Bang and see just a process- a what and maybe a how- but not a why or a who.  It is by faith that we are able to see.  It is by faith that we are not blinded to the unmoved Mover- the hand that rocked the original cradle.  How did the primal substance come to be that exploded in the Big Bang?  God is the first cause of all causes.  The universe did not simply cause itself.
     The writer of Hebrews brings up Abel.  Abel offered a right offering.  He was killed out of jealousy for his faith from his own brother.  Persecution of belief is about as old as civilization.  It is not just brother against brother but a persecution of the one who had his offering blessed and accepted.  The faith of Abel speaks and keeps on speaking beyond the grave. Our faith lives on in those who keep the faith, and it will live on into eternity.  

Prayer: Help me to have faith to see your hand.  Help me to understand that faith was at work in the beginning and will be at work beyond my own life.  The gift of faith is yours, O Lord.  Thank you for opening the eyes of my heart. 


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