By Faith...

We read in Hebrews 11:1-2,6-7 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (6-7) "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. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family..."

In addition to Noah, the writer of Hebrews mentioned other notable people in scripture, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses' parents, Moses, People passing through the Red Sea, Rahab the prostitute, Samson, Samuel, David, and all of the prophets. All these people were still living by faith when they died.

Harvesting wood from our trees...

Today, I find myself relating best to Noah, who out of 'holy fear', built the ark for his family and in obedience to God's calling. As a woodworker myself and as a believer, I am called to fear and love God, also to use my God-given talents to serve him and to bless others.

We also read in Hebrews 11:39-40 "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

Years ago, someone once defined faith to me as 'hope, which looks forward with utter conviction'. As we read our biblical history, let us re-commit our lives today with 'utter conviction' to love and serve God until we are 'made perfect' with him.