“For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine it with faith.” – Hebrews 4:2

The people of Israel were called out of the bondage of Egyptian slavery. God said they would be brought out of 400 years of slavery so that they might worship Him. God desired to bring them into a place of milk and honey — the Promised Land.

Yet, that generation never entered into the Promised Land. Why not? They never took what they knew in their head and transferred it to their heart. Finally, it never resulted in actions that were based on what they believed.

As a Christian I had heard of an illustration of what belief and faith looked like when combined. If you were a trapeze artist and were skilled at walking across tightropes over high places, you might even be willing to walk across Niagara Falls.

In fact, people would have confidence that you could walk across Niagara Falls because they had seen your abilities as a trapeze artist. However, if you asked one of them if you could push them in a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls, you would be challenging them to put their beliefs into action.

That would require faith, participation and risk; which, until now, was based only on their mental assent of you. The writer of Hebrews is telling us that if we believe God but do not enter into those promises, we are like the man who chooses not to get into the wheelbarrow.

If we don’t act on our beliefs, then we remain in the desert like the people of Israel who never received God’s promises. They did not combine what they knew in their head with a faith that was put into action.

Has God spoken to you about an area in your life that requires a step of faith? Let God provide you the courage as He does the knowledge, to act in faith on what you believe.

Start by thanking God for all the many blessings He has given you. The little things you tend to take for granted, like having food, clothing, shelter; being able to work; or even being able to get up out of the bed.

Ask God to keep you focused on what is important in life. Ask Him to help you to sow good things in this world; in case you are not doing enough, or you are not doing all He wants you to do.

Seek God to remind you and to guide you. Always praise God, give Him the honor, the glory and the praise for the things He has done.

Invite God to give you an insatiable desire and thirst for Jesus and for His Word. Ask Him to open your eyes that you may see yourself as He sees you, in order that you may see and love others from His viewpoint.

Seek Him with the intention that He will be the absolute center and the guiding light of your life. Ask God to refresh your daily walk so that you may walk with Him in quiet places, in Heavenly places and throughout all of your life into eternity.

Thank Him; for God is the source of life, of comfort and being. That is when Knowledge + Action = Faith in God.

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him;

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” Hebrews 2:1-5

-NDG Staff