September 9,2012
Lesson Focus:
Faith reveals God
Lesson Scripture:
Hebrews11:1-3,6;
Psalm 46:1-3,8-11
INTRODUCTION. Steadfast confidence brings the fulfillment of our expectations only when it is placed in a worthy object. Misplaced trust is just as fatal as no trust at all. Faith is simply trusting in God. As we put our faith in Him and begin to follow Him, we become more and more confident in our walk, and our faith grows stronger. Our lesson texts present two essentials to faith. Hebrews 11 examines what faith is, while Psalms 46 looks at the kind of works God has done to show that He is worthy of trust.
1. (vs. 1). Our lesson begins with a description of what faith is. The writer says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It’s interesting that the writer uses two terms often used in court to prove the certainty of a case: “substance” and “evidence.” Even though we can’t see or touch faith, it has “substance” or the assurance “of things hoped for.” Faith assures us that what God has promised is real and will be fulfilled even though we have not experienced it yet (see Hebrews 11:7-8; I Peter 1:7-9). Faith is also “the evidence of things not seen.” The word “evidence” speaks of certain proof of something. Just as faith gives us “substance” or assurance of things that have not yet happened, it is also the “evidence” or “proof” of the reality of things we cannot see. Faith is not the same thing as wishful thinking. Faith is real because it is both “substance” and “evidence” that helps us to grasp the realities God has declared to be true even if we can’t see them.
2. (vs. 2). Still speaking of faith, the writer says “For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report.” The “elders” mentioned here does not refer to church leaders. It refers to all the highly respected ancestors who walked with God in ages past. Many of them are mentioned in verse 7-40. These “elders” include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, the patriarchs, Moses and his parents, the judges and many saints who are not named. All these “elders” the writer says, “obtained a good report.” In other words, the “elders” were commended for their faith. All of them are now held in high esteem by saints today, but the major emphasis is on the recognition they received from God. He looked favorably upon their faith.
3. (vs. 3). This verse says “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Faith is essential for every believer and is certainly demonstrated in our belief that God created everything. The design and operation of nature argues in favor of the existence of an intelligent Designer. This is implied by the word “framed” which involves the furnishing and harmonious operation of all creation’s individual parts. The word “worlds” refers to the entire universe that God created. The one who has faith understands that all this can be done at God’s command. The phrase “the worlds were framed by the word of God” means that through a series of utterances, God spoke the world into being (see Genesis 1:3-26; Psalms 33:6, 9). As a result, the writer concluded that the “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” In other words, the things that we now see were not made from anything that was already made. God brought the visible out of the invisible, or more specifically, He brought what we can see out of nothing. This truth cannot be learned from the study of science; it can only come from faith in God’s revelation.
B. The necessity of faith (Hebrews 11:6). In verses 4-5 which are not part of our printed text, the writer gives two examples of faith from Genesis: Abel and Enoch. They both pleased God by their lives of faith. But before giving additional examples of faith, the author said “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.” According to verse 5, Enoch pleased God which was evidence of his faith because “without faith it is impossible to please him.” The author goes on to give two essential elements of faith:
a. First, the one who “cometh to God” or worships Him “must believe that he is.” In other words, in order to worship God we must believe that He exists. This may sound simple but it involves believing that God is who He says He is, and by faith we must accept that. However, believing that God exists is only the beginning, for even the demons believe that much (see James 2:19-20). God will not settle for mere acknowledgement that He exists. He wants a personal relationship that will transform your life.
b. Second, the one who “cometh to God” or worships Him must believe “that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” To diligently seek God means to earnestly search to know Him. Those who seek God will be rewarded with His intimate presence.
DIVINE WORKS AS THE BASIS OF FAITH (Psalms 46:1-3, 8-11). Psalms 46-48 are hymns of praise celebrating deliverance from some great enemy. Many theologians believe that Psalms 46 may have been written when the Assyrian army invaded Israel and surrounded Jerusalem (see II Kings 18:13-19:37).
A. God’s reliability (Psalms 46:1). The psalmist praised God as “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This verse speaks of the security one can find in a reliable God. The word “refuge” refers to a place of rest and safety (see Numbers 35:11-12; II Samuel 22:3; Psalms 9:9; 57:1). The term “strength” speaks of God’s power and might. “Help” refers to His support and assistance. The words “very present” literally means “that which is surely and abundantly found.” It is in the time of trouble that God’s people can surely and abundantly rest in God’s safety, power and might.
B. God’s deliverance from extreme danger (Psalms 46:2-3).1. (vs.2). Because we can feel safe in God’s power and might, the writer says “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Even under the worst circumstances like the earth being shaken and the mountains falling into the sea, the believer has no reason to be afraid. We need not fear anything that disturbs our environment like hurricanes, volcanic eruptions or even earthquakes because we know that God is in control and will take care of us.
2. (vs. 3). Here the psalmist continued to speak of environmental changes saying “Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” The phrase “waters thereof roar and be troubled” appears to refer to floods or even tsunami-sized waves. The phrase “though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” refers to the destruction of mountains that can be caused by those waging waters. None of these changes should cause fear in the believer who has faith in the God of creation. The meaning of the word “Selah” is unknown. However, it appears seventy-one times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. It is probably a term with a musical meaning for the Hebrews, though what that meaning may have been is pure speculation. Many scholars agree that it may mean the same thing as our musical interlude, a pause in the voices singing while the instruments continued to play alone.
C. God’s work illustrated (Psalms 46:8-9).
1. (vs.8). In verses 4-7, not a part of our text, the psalmist focuses on God’s protection for Jerusalem. Then in this verse, he encourages his readers to “Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.” The psalmist challenged his readers to intelligently consider God’s involvement in His created world. The word “desolation” can mean to lay waste, deserted or devastated. As part of God’s works He had devastated the Assyrian army by killing 185,000 of their soldiers. In addition, we must consider that the destruction we see in nature is His work. We don’t always understand it, but we can often sense His power in it. This does not mean that He is a bad God, but it does mean that God is in control of all things in the world---even those things we don’t understand.
2. (vs. 9). The psalmist also said “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.” Even though the Lord has brought desolations, His final goal is to “maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth” and bring peace on earth. In bringing an end to war, the Lord “breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.” The idea here is that the Lord will end wars by abolishing all the tools of war (see Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3-4). In ancient times these tools of war were bows and arrows, spears and chariots. Today those instruments of war could be aircraft, tanks, warships, missiles and guns.
D. God’s name exalted (Psalms 46:10-11).
1. (vs. 10). In this verse, the Lord speaks commanding the readers to “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” The phrase “Be still” is really a command to “Stop!” Many scholars believe that this is addressed to Israel, and if so it would be a command to stop seeking human solutions to their problems. Instead they should commit themselves to Him completely. However, since God says “I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” and references “the heathen” or Gentiles, the command to “Be still, and know that I am God” is most likely meant for the Gentile nations of the world, especially those who tried to stop God’s plans for Israel. The fact that God will be exalted among the heathen nations and in the earth would remind the nations of the world that they will fail, but God will prevail. The Lord will be exalted in the end! Note: Christians today need to heed this command from God as well. If we are doing anything to hinder God’s work in our lives or the lives of others, we must stop it now and recognize that He is God. He demands universal exaltation, and if we don’t bow to Him, He will be exalted in spite of us.
2. (vs. 11). In our final verse, the psalmist says “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” This verse is the same as verse 7 (not included in our text) and God is identified as “The Lord of hosts” or the Lord of armies. The psalmist reminded his readers that God was with them and so He is with us. The Lord is also called “the God of Jacob” or the God of Israel (see Genesis 35:10). God’s people in any age can rest in their faith that the Lord of armies is always with us caring for us, and the God of Israel is our refuge or place of safety.
IV. Conclusion. The Bible is very clear. No matter what life may throw at a Christian, we should respond with steadfast confidence that God always has our best interest at heart. Faith is not just positive thinking. It is a total confidence that God exists and that He is concerned about His people. Of course, such confidence, or faith, is necessary for salvation, but it is also essential to following Christ daily. It is really a way of life. This confidence is more than just good feelings. It is a conscious decision to put one’s entire life, everyday into the hands of God.
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