There are actually 2 lessons taught in this verse
Hebrews 11:6
For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that comes to God MUST believe that HE IS and that HE IS A RE-WARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.
#1 - Believing that "HE IS".
This means that as the seeker of God we must absolutely be convinced that God IS. If you don't come to God with that already concluded and settled in your heart, then you have already lost the battle. The first past of the scripture tells us that without this FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him. If we lose the understanding/revelation/trust that God is ABLE, this is where we must go back to before we can expect to have anything happen. I believe that is what James was speaking of when he said being tossed by the wind and driven. There is so many "seducing" spirits around us that would love to toss us around, and without the foundation of believing that God is ABLE, you will EASILY be tossed to and thro by these spirits. That is also why James told us:
James 1:6-8
(6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
(7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
(8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Believing that God IS ABLE. God IS THE ANSWER. God IS ALL THAT I NEED. God IS ALL POWERFUL is the foundation to having a move of God in your life. God CAN fix my situation, God CAN provide for my family, God CAN heal me of all my diseases, God CAN touch me and forgive me, God CAN make me whole. Without this foundation, prayer is empty, the scriptures are simply laws in a book, the whole premise of the spiritual walk with God seems insignificant and necessary. This is the spiritual condition of our world today and was spoken of by the prophet Malachi:
Malachi 3:14,15
(14) Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
(15) And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
If we ever reach the point that we say the above statements, we need to renew the first part of Hebrews 11:6, we need to remind ourselves and pray that God will remind us, HE IS. It IS NOT vain to serve God. It will profit if we keep His ordinance. It is wise to walk mournfully before the LORD of hosts. The PROUD are ONLY temporarliy happy, and they that work wickedness are on shaky ground. They that tempt God are NOT delivered, they are in bondage. The happiest people on this earth are those that walk for God. MANY are the AFFLICTIONS of the RIGHTEOUS, but the LORD DELIVER OUT OF THEM ALL!!!!
I believe this is the spirit of the Hebrew boys in Daniel. They believed that God IS, and that was already settled in their mind even when the king threatened to throw them in the furnace. They didn't have to make up their mind when the trial came, they already had their mind made up. It was worth it to be dedicated to God, and He was able to keep them through every trial. The Bible tells us that they didn't even HAVE TO THINK about the answer that they gave the King, they simply told him, OUR GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER US. They had part 1 of Hebrews 11:6 down in their soul, they KNEW that God was able.
However, the next part is what should encourage us today. The next statement they made to the King was this:
If God chooses NOT to DELIVER us, let it be known to the KING that WE WILL NOT BOW DOWN. That is what the second part of the scripture means.
#2 - He is a REWARDER of them THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.
Those boys knew that they were right with God and that no matter what trial came into their life, God was going to reward them being FAITHFUL to Him. When we know that we are THE CALLED according to HIS purpose, that means that ALL THINGS work together to the good for us. That means even if God allows DEATH to come upon us, that means we will have accomplished our purpose for God. These boys understood that God was more powerful than the King and their allegiance to God made them ready to face even death, so even if the King put them in the fire, they were SURE that God would reward them even in DEATH. But here is where the beauty comes in, we know what happened, the boys didn't get burned, not a HAIR on their head was singed, and they did not even smell like smoke. And God went WITH them in that trial. I believe their faith showed DILIGENCE even in the face of DEATH, and God rewarded them BY BEING WITH THEM. Rather they died in that fire or God came to be with them in the fire, either way they were going to be with God and that my friend is what we should desire in our trial. God BE WITH ME, I want to feel you in this trial, I want to be comforted in this trial, I want to feel your LOVE in this trial, please don't let me be foolish and try to face it by myself. This is having faith in DILIGENTLY seeking Him. God is good and will always come through for us, but just as Jesus prayed for Peter, let us pray that our Faith doesn't fail. As long as you believe that He IS, and HE IS A REWARDER of them THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM, you will find Him every time and in every trial you will realize that God is ALWAYS and will ALWAYS be in control of EVERYTHING.
Luke 22:31-32
(31) And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
(32) But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Jude tells us to PRAY in the HOLY GHOST, building up YOURSELVES in your most Holy Faith. Friend if you want to have a renewing in God, remember that He IS. Whatever we need HE IS. Whatever we lack HE IS. Whatever we have done in the past and failed Him - HE STILL IS. If you can praise Him, you have hope. If you can worship Him, you have hope. If you can just admit that without Him you are nothing, you have hope. Don't let your faith fail, the Lord Jesus Christ is ready to make intercession for us, He promised to never leave you and never forsake you. All you need to do is realize HE IS, and it is worth your time to seek Him, it is worth your time to invest in your relationship with Him. HE IS A REWARDER to them that DILIGENTLY seek Him.
Our God is great.. AND GREATLY to be PRAISED, lift up your eyes and behold the goodness and power of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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