How To Please God
ICS Daily Devotions
John 20:25 (NKJV) The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ because he had witnessed with his own eyes the crucifixion of the Lord where he saw that Jesus’ side was pierced by the soldiers to ensure that He was dead. Therefore, He asked to see Jesus personally if He had indeed resurrected and to confirm it by putting his hands on Jesus’ nailed pierced hands and sides. Both the officer who was mentioned in 2 Kings 7:2 and the Apostle Thomas echo our struggle to have faith in the Word of God.
James 1:6-8 (NKJV) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
However, the Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. The Christian lifestyle is a lifestyle of faith—from now towards eternity. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We are generally uncomfortable when we can’t see, feel, or lack sufficient information on certain matters, and give into anxiety easily until all the evidence is before our eyes. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of God does not work in this way, and everything must be done by faith in God and His Word. Therefore, it can be very challenging for us to believe or have faith in something that is unseen. However, we need to develop our “faith muscle” by exercising faith in the little things so that we can believe God for great things. Faith is found in the heart, or spirit man, and not in the mind, even though the renewal of the mind will make faith in God easier. A mind that is not renewed with the Word is a hindrance to having faith in God as a Christian.
Whenever God asks us to do something, the situation and circumstances always seem impossible. Therefore, we need faith to trust in Him. Faith believes that He is whatever the Word of God says He is, and faith believes that He is a rewarder or giver of all things to those who diligently seek Him. The key is to diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NJKV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Sermon Series: Step Out!
