Now I Live by Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:1-6

Kim traveled in a singing group in college. One of the guys in the group was John. John was the personification of the happy, golden retriever guy. He lived close by and would show up randomly at my door with zero announcement. I would answer the knock to see a cheery, beaming John who would say, "Hi guys! What's up?" That is what I think of when I read the story in the Bible in Luke 24 on the road to Emmaus. Jesus had resurrected from the dead and suddenly appeared with two of men walking the seven mile trip from Jerusalem. I always think of Jesus doing the "John thing" here. "Hey guys! What's up? What are we talking about here?" They were engulfed in the recent events and their own journey. They were not able to register that this was Jesus. Jesus had hidden his identify for a brief time.

Isaiah 45:15 says God is a God "who hides Himself." He wants us to seek Him with our whole heart. Some days, that leaves us in dicey, stressful situations, feeling like He has left us there to figure it out alone. The Emmaus guys were not expecting to see Him walking beside them, because they were still hashing out the fact He had been put to death. God had not opened their eyes to see Him yet.

That is how it is with us as well. Sometimes the tragedies and stressors can get a lot of our focus. God allows us to struggle and question, because that is what brings growth to our spirit. At the right moment, He opens our eyes to show us He was walking beside us the entire time. Faith is believing He is where He says He is, even when we feel completely alone. He is there.

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