Mixed with Faith!

Scripture: Hebrews 4:2 -  For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
 
Are you conducting yourself as one who believes what God has said in His word?  Or have you again left the daily protection offered by the shield of faith on the living room table or nightstand-- next to your favorite hymnal or the remote control you handled quite  authoritatively-- the night before?  

We who claim Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord at times too easily “flip the switch” from “2 Corinthians 5:7- living” to its opposite with the flash of some bad news, or the sight of some unexpected daily hurdles, don’t we?  It’s like a little meme I once read on a humorous poster about a saint who woke up with a heart full of worshipful praise, said her prayers, thanked the Lord as she prepared for the day.   She was completely focused on practicing His presence---and then she entered traffic.  Her “quiet-time jubilation” vanished as quickly as the morning dew!
     
While the context of today’s verse focuses on the rest that believers enjoy when they receive salvation by trusting in Christ’s redemptive act on the cross, it must be generalized to living out all areas of life as a Christ-follower. We MUST BE, “…. DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, DECEIVING ourselves.”  (James 1:22) Christ said in Matthew 7:24 that, “…everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house upon the rock.”  Disregarding such strong admonition, how can a Christian expect to ENJOY the promised peace of God, the confidence of knowing God, and reap the blessings of relying on His strength?  

Prayer:  Lord God, because of Christ’s incarnation, You absolutely understand what living in this troubled world is like.  You knew that we would need to truly believe, lean on, and rely upon every word “breathed” by Your Holy Spirit.  Grant us the wisdom to spend more time each day meditating on Your truths, so that when the cares of life try to intrude upon Your promised peace, they will be continually overwhelmed by Your powerful presence!  In Christ’s name we thank You; Amen!

(by Denise Diggs)