Heb 11:6 - Some Thoughts on How Faith Pleases God.

Heb 11:6 - Some Thoughts on How Faith Pleases God.

Heb 11:6 (NIV)  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. 

  Faith is confidence in God that leads to obedience to God. 
True faith is based on what God says and is demonstrated in what we 
do. People with faith do things for God, and God does things for 
them. 
  Faith is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is for common 
people and not just great leaders. We need faith for worshiping (v. 4) 
as well as for working (v. 7), walking (vv. 8-9), waiting (vv. 
10-12), and warring (vv. 30-34). In any area of life where you ignore 
faith, you will sin (Rom. 14:23). 
  The phrase "still others" (v. 36) reminds us that we can live 
by faith and appear to be defeated. Not everybody who trusted God 
was delivered or protected (vv. 36-40). But the important thing is 
not God's deliverance; it is God's approval (v. 39). Faith in God 
gives you the ability to endure when others are giving up.  
  Where does this faith come from? Read Romans 10:17 and 12:3. 
[Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe mod.] 

Faith does not eliminate problems. Faith keeps you in a trusting 
relationship with God in the midst of your problems. Faith has to do with 
your relationship with God, not your circumstances. [Experiencing God 
Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re Heb. 11:6] 

  Numbers 14 records what is perhaps the saddest and most 
far-reaching event in the history of Israel, surpassed only by the 
crucifixion of their own Messiah some fourteen centuries later. The real 
tragedy of the story centers not so much upon their unbelief and refusal 
to enter Canaan, but rather upon their disregard of the wonderful 
miracles God had consistently performed for them. First, there were the 
ten plagues in Egypt which eventually freed them. These were 
followed by the marvelous Red Sea crossing, and many other miracles 
including water from a rock and bread from heaven. To whom much is given, 
of him much is required! 
  In the New Testament there is a similar situation when the 
Pharisees came to Christ, asking him to "perform a miracle for them" (Mt 
16.1) - even though he had already performed many signs, including 
feeding the five thousand, walking on water, and raising the dead. One 
must be willing to come to God by faith in his Word alone (He 11.6). 
If this condition is not met, then all the miracles in the world 
will profit us nothing. [Daily Devotional Bible re Num.14:11 mod.]