Faith

https://odb.org/2023/09/19/faithful-but-not-forgotten

Faith is the substance of things hoped for; evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 1:1 (NKJV). Meaning to say that even though reality does not yet reflect our hope, we persevere in believing God, trusting God. Although we can not see God, for He is spirit, we still cling on to Him in faith. Even though we can not see heaven yet, we trust that we will enter into eternal life one day. We unwaveringly hold on to God’s promises for us even though none received what had been promised them in their lifetime (Hebrews 11:39). That’s the essence of faith.

That is why missionaries sow in the present for the future. Many do not see the fruits of their labour in their lifetimes. But they persevere with their calling. They don’t give up even if they do not see results now, believing that things will turn around one day by the power of God. This is particularly so in hard ground and closed countries. Perhaps after one lifetime living among the people they are reaching out to, the next generation will turn to God.

We ponder – is what we are doing now making a difference? The small gestures of kindness and compassion. The recipients of our kindness and compassion may not think too much about it. But one day, when they find out we are believers, they will attribute it to the goodness of God in our lives and perhaps one day at the right time, they may turn to God and accept Jesus into their lives.

The message this morning is to launch out in faith every day, doing good and being kind and compassionate. No one we know may notice or know. But God knows, and the recipients will know. They will ask why? Why is he or she so good and nice to me? I am in no position to make his or her life better. I am a nobody. He will gain nothing being kind to me. But one day, they will find out that we had been so nice and kind because of our God. Then perhaps they may want to know this God of ours and make Him theirs? That, my friends, is the essence of faith, the essence of our faith.