1 Samuel 30:6 – “David was very upset, for the men were thinking of stoning him; each man grieved bitterly over his sons and daughters. But David drew strength from the Lord his God.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the rubber met the road in my heart and mind.   I began in 1 Samuel 30:6, where in a difficult time, “David drew strength from the LORD His God.”   

That was his key and our pathway to becoming who God designed us to be.    We try and try and try and fail because our strength, wisdom, ability, or position can never prevail over the forces of darkness and life’s challenges.   But we try!  We keep trying to be by doing.   We eat from the wrong tree!

In Hebrews 11:1, we have a simple definition or explanation of faith.   We make it mystical or magical and succumb to the pride of self-producing.  Faith IS!

Faith is what?   Faith is being sure (certain) of what we hope for.  The question is, what do we hope for?  What do we long for?  What do we crave?   What is God’s Promise?  

Faith is being convinced (unshakably certain and confident) of what we do not see.  It is a matter of: God said that it’s not visible, but because God said it, we see it, believe it, expect it, and receive it.   Convinced!   Unshakably certain. 

Hebrews 11 is a record or reminder of God’s faithfulness and the fruit of trust and obedience even when you can’t see it!   Consider the power, purpose, and benefit of discipline.    What does that have to do with faith?  Everything!   Discipline molds us into His image, and in that relationship, faith is the air we breathe.   Hebrews 12:7 – “Endure your suffering as discipline.”   No, every trial is not chastisement, but there is a lesson in every trial.

Hebrews 13 begins with Paul’s final instructions on how to live and live in faith.  Love one another and be hospitable (opens the door to divine encounters).  Focus on others, not just our needs, for that is the heart of Jesus.   Then, out of the blue, he inserts the sanctity of marriage and marital intimacy.  Why?   To remind us that human marriage is a type of our relationship with Christ and to defile that is to trample Christ’s blood underfoot. 

Hebrews 13:8 is not a standalone verse.  Jesus is the same eternally; therefore, we must live in purity because He is eternally pure and our example.   He is our pattern. 

Hebrews 13:20-21 – Through Christ Be!   Take all your sins, baggage, doubts, and fears outside the camp and nail them to the Cross.  

Don’t be an Esau and sell out for anything.   What will we sell out for?  A drink, a drug, a fling, a dollar?  What?   Nothing is worth our eternal soul.  Therefore, no discipline is too harsh.  Only Jesus!

LORD, You are our strength; help us to learn to draw strength from You!