38 lines
4.7 KiB
HTML
38 lines
4.7 KiB
HTML
|
|
<html>
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
|
|
Day By Day By Grace
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">
|
|
Bob Hoekstra
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
November 15
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="main-just">
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h1>Contrasting Consequences of Accessing Grace through Faith</h1>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>Women <b>received</b> their <b>dead raised</b> to <b>life</b> again. And <b>others</b> were <b>tortured</b>, <b>not</b> accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a <b>better resurrection</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '35-35');">Hebrews 11:35</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>This verse serves as a transition from <b>enjoyed blessings</b> to <b>endured difficulties</b>. Both were experienced by depending upon the Lord. Herein, we see <b>contrasting consequences of accessing grace through faith</b>. The blessings we may anticipate. The difficulties may seem to us "unusual."</p>
|
|
<p>Even the blessing of resurrected loved ones is not surprising to be found in the history of God's people, since we serve a God of resurrection power. Elijah understood this. Consequently, he did not balk when he knew that the Lord wanted him to be an instrument of resurrection. This miracle of God's grace would occur in the home of a widow who was supplying food for the prophet. <i>"The <b>son</b> of the woman who owned the house became <b>sick</b>. And his sickness was so <b>serious</b> that there was <b>no breath</b> left in him"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ki', 17, '17-17');">1 Kings 17:17</a>). This faithful widow was distressed and perplexed. <i>"So she said to Elijah, 'What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ki', 17, '18-18');">1 King 17:18</a>). In most situations, prayer would have been appropriately offered for the strength and comfort of the remaining family. However, Elijah was led to cry out to the Lord for the boy. <i>"O LORD my God, I pray, let this child's <b>soul</b> come <b>back</b> to him"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ki', 17, '21-21');">1 Kings 17:21</a>). The Lord confirmed that this was His will by raising the deceased son. <i>"Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the <b>soul</b> of the child came <b>back</b> to him, and he <b>revived</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ki', 17, '22-22');">1 Kings 17:22</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>This miraculous blessing was brought forth by faith in God. Yet, faith in the Lord does <b>not</b> always result in such <b>temporal</b> blessings, as the <b>contrasting</b> conclusion to our verse documents. <i>"And <b>others</b> were <b>tortured</b>, <b>not</b> accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a <b>better resurrection</b>."</i> Living by faith is the general context of this chapter (<i>"By faith…By faith…By faith"</i>—<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '3-3');">Hebrews 11:3</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '4-4');">4</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '5-5');">5</a>). It is also the immediate context of our verse (<i>"who through faith"</i>—<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '33-33');">Hebrews 11:33</a>). These <i>"<b>others</b></i> [who] <i>were <b>tortured</b>"</i> were <b>also</b> living <b>by faith</b>. Their faith in God would work for them an <b>eternal</b> blessing, to be enjoyed at the final resurrection of the righteous.</p>
|
|
<p>We can embrace this same outlook. <i>"For I consider that the <b>sufferings</b> of this <b>present</b> time are not worthy to be compared with the <b>glory</b> which <b>shall be revealed</b> in us"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 8, '18-18');">Romans 8:18</a>). Meanwhile, we can be learning to live by resurrection power: <i>"that I may know Him and the <b>power</b> of <b>His resurrection</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl', 3, '10-10');">Philippians 3:10</a>).</p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God of Resurrection, I cry out to You to revive the dead or dying areas of my own life. I also look to You for the sustaining strength I need in times of suffering. Teach me to live daily by the power of Your resurrection, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/11/1114.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/11/1116.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|