Faith’s Reward

What you are about to read will challenge your prayer life and call for the optimum of faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him.  For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified Bible)

The Wuest Translation reads: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him at all. For he who comes to God must of necessity in the nature of the case believe that He exists, and that He becomes a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him out.”

The one who comes to God, must believe two things: first that He exists, and second, that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. The first verb “is” is the translation of estin which speaks of existence. The second verb “is” is the translation of ginomai affirming not only that He exists, but that He exists to reward. 

The process usually takes time, and there are no shortcuts. God does not respond to part-time seekers. He is only found by those who seek Him with their whole heart. The Bible says, “You must be diligent so as to realize the full assurance of hope, so that you will receive the promise.” (Hebrews 6:11)

The words “diligently seek” are literally “seek Him out.” Those who seek Him out are diligently seeking Him, and here we have the perfective use of the preposition. Vincent says in this connection: “God’s beneficent will and attitude toward the seeker are not always apparent at the first approach. In such cases there is occasion for faith, in the face of delay, that diligent seeking will find its reward.

This verse experiences what is often our experience.

“He hides himself so wondrously As though there were no God;
He is least seen when all the powers of ill are most abroad. 
Or He deserts us at the hour. The fight is almost lost. 
And seems to leave us to ourselves just when we need Him most. 
It is not so, but so it looks; And we lose courage then;
And doubts will come if God hath kept His promises to men.”

The seed bed for faith is noted: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the (spoken) word of God.” (Romans 10:17) The word translated ‘word’ is the Greek word rhema, and it speaks of a personal face-to-face type of communication.

Vincent puts it: “He who approaches God has, through faith, the assurance that his seeking God will result in good to himself.” He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. The effect is worth the effort.

We are called to investigate and explore God, trusting that He will reveal Himself and His will at the proper time and way. Trust the Person and the process. There is never a moment God doesn’t know, love you, and design for you the best.

Keep the faith and the faith will keep you.