Believing Better Things Are in Store for You
Photo by Hillie Chan on Unsplash
Trusting God
I believe people overthink faith in God. Scratch that. I know people overthink having faith in God. I know that’s been true for me, and I’m not the exception to the rule.
My experience as a pastor and counselor gave me some simple insight into why we overthink faith in God. How we see or imagine God to be, directly relates to our trust in Him.
What’s your image of God? Do you envision Him as a kindly grandfather, or do you imagine Him being a strict disciplinarian?
Our family of origin and how we were raised can have a positive or negative effect on our relationship with God. As a pastor and missionary, I’ve seen this to be true in people’s lives over and over. Our relationship with our earthly fathers either helps or hinders how we relate to God.
How we perceive God impacts our faith in Him. If trust was an issue with your earthly father or mother, for whatever reason, then you’ll find it a challenge to trust your Heavenly Father.
This underscores the need for believers to be connected and involved in a church fellowship with trustworthy leaders. The church needs to be a supportive community guided by leaders well-grounded in the truth, with shepherd’s hearts for the people, just as we see in the early church (Acts 2:42-47).
Sometimes we need to be prodded to move on and move forward. Just as in an earthly family, we may need to prod one another to step up and take responsibility for our part in the family. This is an important emphasis throughout the Book of Hebrews.
These believers are exhorted to continue trusting in the Lord Jesus by faith. When we do, God will honor this commitment and we will be blessed for it.
Scripture Text
God blesses the earth. So rain often falls on it, and it produces useful crops for farmers. However, if the earth produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. [vss 7-8]
Dear friends, even though we say these things, we are still convinced that better things are in store for you and that they will save you. God is fair. He won’t forget what you’ve done or the love you’ve shown for him. You helped his holy people, and you continue to help them. [vss 9-10]
We want each of you to prove that you’re working hard so that you will remain confident until the end. Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are receiving the promises through faith and patience. [vss 11-12]
God made a promise to Abraham. Since he had no one greater on whom to base his oath, he based it on himself. He said, “I will certainly bless you and give you many descendants.” So Abraham received what God promised because he waited patiently for it. [vss 13-15] (Hebrews 6:7-15 GW)
[Context– Hebrews 6]
Key Phrase —
We are still convinced that better things are in store for you.
Dig Deeper Into the Text—
What illustration is given as a comparison? How is it related to the encouragement that follows?
What are the better things expected in this encouragement that follows this illustration?
Do you think this is a warning about losing or maintaining their eternal salvation?
How does the encouragement relate to the illustration given earlier in this chapter?
Things to Consider—
I believe persevering by faith is way undervalued. It shouldn’t be. Perseverance by faith has been the key for all faithful believers, as seen throughout the Bible. It’s been vital in my life and in the ministries my wife and I served in.
Reading through the Scriptures, we see how God honored and blessed those who continued to trust God by faith. We also see the consequences for those who rebelled or were unfaithful. This is the emphasis of Hebrews Chapter 4.
Faith looks forward, not backward. God’s faithfulness in the past sustains our faith. And genuine faith presses beyond the present. Faith sees beyond what others see as obstacles. It perseveres.
Good behavior and deeds are not the measure of our faith. Faith is measured by continued trust in God during times of adversity, testing, trials, and opposition to our faith by others. Following the Lord in genuine faith should bring a change in our attitudes and behavior because we’re being transformed internally by His gracious work in us.
Perseverance is active patience, not waiting in aimless passivity, but with a confident, expectant hope in God. This is Abraham's example to us. He received what God promised because he trusted in God.
God is faithful in all His promises. So, we need to be faithful. We need to continue trusting in God to see His promises fulfilled. God has better things in store for those who continue to trust in Him.
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life—
How are these believers encouraged about their salvation?
What final exhortation and encouragement is given, and how can believers do this?
Have you learned to persevere in faith with the joy and peace of God in your heart?
In what ways have you seen the Lord validate your faith and trust in Him?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
