Thought for Friday 9 May

 

Hebrews 11:6

So you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. 

Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

In my translation of the bible, the word ‘faith’ appears over five hundred times.  When we read or hear a word like this so frequently, its easy to just pass over it and not really contemplate or consider the meaning.  At the very beginning of this chapter, we are offered an explanation of what faith entails, it is ‘the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see’.

It made me think about fathers or grandfathers throwing young members of their families into the air and catching them to the sound of the wee ones giggling knowing that the catch was safe and assured.  Also, about parents taking their wee ones into a swimming pool and the children’s confidence that their parents would always be there to catch them before they went under, the ‘confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen’. 

My grand-daughter started high school last year and I had agreed to collect her from school every Monday and Tuesday.  Fairly early on in this arrangement, I was distracted one day and I totally forgot to go for her.  By the time I realised, it was too late.  She had been standing waiting for me and I failed to appear.  Alternative arrangements were made and someone else went for her.  I honestly can’t remember feeling as bad and guilty as I did in the hours that followed.  I called her and apologised and vowed to her that would never happen again.  She was really gracious about it and so was her mum but I’m determined never to let it happen again because I hated the way It made me feel.  Just maybe God gets feelings similar to this every time we let him down.  So far, my grand-daughter has only had to forgive me once.  The forgiveness of God for all is surely a much more frequent occurrence.

These recollections made me feel greatful for the little faith I possess and the love of my saviour that picks me up when I fall, that puts his arm around me when I feel I’m sinking and will not let me go and the love that welcomes me back like the prodigal son every time I get it wrong.  If we are aware of having a choice of whether to do something that would offend God or something to please God, surely that is a sign of faith in that we accept there is most certainly a living God watching over us and it would be good to get to know him better and do our best to please him.

Prayer.

Heavenly Father, as we bow before your throne today, we acknowledge the need for us to have faith because we know that pleases you, a faith that trusts in your goodness, your plans, and your promises.  Lord, we confess that there are times we have all faltered in our belief in you.  Doubts have crept in, clouding our vision, and causing hesitation in our hearts.  Forgive us Lord, for the times we lack faith.  Help us understand that without faith, we can never please you. Help us make the necessary changes in our lives that would make our behaviours more pleasing in your eyes and be a reflection of your glory in this world.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.