Daily Bible Reading - February 15, 2018

Today's Reading:

Hebrews 11:1-22

Exodus 13:1-14:31

Proverbs 5

Listen to the Bible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading:

Today's reading offers many points which stand out and should be mentioned. First, I'd like to share a bit from the side of history/archaeology on the Exodus story and Red Sea Crossing. Have you ever wondered why the Bible says the Egyptians became "entangled" in the land? Have you ever wondered how the land allowed God, with a Pillar of Cloud, to keep the vast Egyptian army from reaching the Children of Israel, allowing them time to safely cross the Red Sea? Have you ever wondered where the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea - and if it was possible to identify the crossing site beyond question? If so, you will enjoy this video, which helps the Bible story of the Exodus come alive in living color:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7JU9rlocAc

Next, I must mention Hebrews chapter 11. This is the Faith Chapter. Reading through these inspiring verses takes us strolling down the aisle of the Biblical Hall of Faith. Every story highlighted in this chapter is a powerful demonstration of living faith. And because these patriarchs had faith, God used them to accomplish great things, leaving a legacy of faith which passes down to us today.

What is faith? It's definition is given here in:

Hebrews 11:1-2   "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report."

In a nutshell, faith is "visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it."

Many say that they believe in God. But there is no life-change to back the belief. This is not real faith. Faith is an action word. In every case, as you "walk" (read) the Biblical Hall of Faith and see the "faces" (stories) of those memorialized in this Hall (Chapter), you will find an action, which they did to demonstrate their faith. Without action, there is no faith.

James 2:17-26  "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."  

 Faith is knowing that God is your reality - not your circumstances.

To illustrate this, consider the story of the Widow of Nain. In Bible times, a woman had no inheritance or means to care for herself, without her father, husband, or son. 

The woman's name is not given in the Gospel account. She is simply called "the widow of Nain". But by that title, we know a bit about her. Her husband had obviously died at some prior point. And now, as Christ enters the scene of her life story, He finds her weeping, following after the dead body of her only son in his funeral procession. 

What would that widow have said, if we could have interviewed her at that point in her life? It probably would have gone something like this:

Us: "I'm so sorry for your loss! What will you do, now that both your husband and son have died?"

Widow: "My heart is breaking! This the worst day of my life! I've already lost my dear husband. And now, my precious son is dead also. I have nothing left in this world. There is nothing for me to live for. I have no future - no reason to hope."

But while every word she might have said would have appeared to be an accurate portrayal of her circumstances, it wasn't the REALITY. You see, we've never heard the end of the story until God Speaks. What circumstantially appeared to be the worst day of the Widow's life, was the best in reality. WHY? Jesus (Yahshua) was in town!

He raised her son from the dead and restored him to her life. What a glorious day it turned out to be!  That is what it means when we say that God is our Reality - not our circumstances. And being able to remember that God is our Reality - not our circumstances is one of the best demonstrations of living faith.

Hebrews 11:6  "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."