READ Hebrews 11
A parade of heroic figures from the Old Testament depicts what it means to live by faith.

INSIGHT
Faith is the operative ingredient in the Christian life. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (v. 6). Faith is important because without it we cannot even begin to approach God. Simply put, faith is believing God and acting accordingly. All that is accomplished in the world to further the work of God is accomplished by faith. This list of exemplary faithful people shows that when God spoke, His people listened, believed, and acted accordingly. The words of an old hymn sum it all up: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

PRAYER
Praise God that Jesus was willing and sufficient to pay the price for our sins:
Let the whole earth shout joyfully to God!  
Sing about the glory of his name;
Make his praise glorious.  
Say to God, “How awe-inspiring are your works!
Your enemies will cringe before you
Because of your great strength.  
The whole earth will worship you
And sing praise to you.
They will sing praise to your name
(Psalm 66:1-4).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
The heart is more deceitful than anything else,  
And incurable — who can understand it?  
I, the Lord, examine the mind, I test the heart  
To give to each according to his way,
According to what his actions deserve.
Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
Save me, and I will be saved,
For you are my praise
(Jeremiah 17:9-10, 14).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• The development of an eternal perspective
• Your spiritual goals
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:13).