Bible Thoughts

September 1, 2002

The Creation took place in six days for the record states, "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts"(Genesis 2:1). In six days(Genesis 1:31), the Lord brought our universe as we know it into existence. As God, he only had to speak and it was done. It did not take the Almighty eons of time to bring our earth into being, as claimed by those who do not accept the inspired account from Moses. It is unfortunate that the world has rejected the Bible account and refuses to accept what the book of God reveals. It won't work because it did not happen the way the skeptics and agnostics claim. Even more unfortunate is that some brethren are trying(and have tried) to stretch these days into eons of time. Consider: If the Lord could(and did) take the dust of the earth and create a man from his created elements and breath into his nostrils the breath of life, he could(and did) accomplish what is written in Genesis 1. All Christians understand this by faith!

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous..."(Hebrews 11:4).

The difference in Cain and Abel is that one followed the instructions of God and the other did not. Through the pages of time, this has been a recurring problem: some will accept the teachings of God; most will not. In some manner, Cain did not follow the instructions of Jehovah. Abel, of a different attitude, offered a sacrifice that pleased the Creator. Cain vented his anger by taking his brother's life. Through the years since this event, men can be placed in one of two categories: one group follows the Lord and the other group follows their own ideas(or the ideas of other men). Those who live by the faith taught in the New Testament will always seek to follow the Lord through His revealed word. Such believers have a righteous attitude. Those who invent to themselves the commandments of men are rejecting the instructions of the Almighty.

"By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house..."(Hebrews 11:7).

This great man of God did not hesitate to follow the instructions of Jehovah. When he was alerted to the coming flood, he made preparations to save himself and his household. What motivated Noah? Godly fear! What has motivated all of the righteous people through the centuries? Godly fear! Noah did not question the instructions of God, but he proceeded to prepare for the coming flood. His trust was great enough to recognize that if God said it, he believed it. We need more Noahs. Not only in the world, but among those of us who are Christians. We must accept and follow the instructions in the New Testament of Jesus Christ without delay. Noah was prepared: are you and I?

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place, which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went"(Hebrews 11:9).

As Noah, Abraham sought to do as God had instructed. When called, he obeyed. When instructed to go, he went, even though he did not know his destination. The faith of Abraham was vividly demonstrated as he did not question the purposes of the Lord. The Genesis record notes, "So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him..."(Genesis 12:4). The Lord had only to instruct him and he would do as Jehovah commanded. And...Abraham was seventy-five years old when the Lord visited him and spoke these words. The age of this great man, the difficulty of the journey, the problems that might arise, et cetera, did not deter this man of God. No planes, no automobiles, not even any bicycles, existed to help him on his journey. Yet, when God spoke, Abraham listened and obeyed.

"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter; choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people to God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season"(Hebrews 11:24-25).

Moses had enough faith in the Lord to be willing to give up the power and prominence that he could obtain in Egypt. He made a choice: he would rather be ill treated with God's people than to bow to the pleasures of sin. Was Moses attracted to what Egypt offered? There is no doubt that, as a human, such occurred. Yet, through the instructions and example of his mother, Moses was not corrupted by the temptations that existed in Pharaoh's house. The character of Moses was a product of his faith in Jehovah. Whatever Egypt offered him, it could not compare to what the Creator of mankind could give him. Moses' faith caused him to be willing to sacrifice the offerings of Egypt and accept a role as a leader among the Hebrews. His choice should be our choice: follow the Lord and receive the reward of faith.

"And what shall I say more? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets"(Hebrews 11:32).

The record of the Old Testament tells those of us today of the great men who lived and died for the cause of truth and righteousness. They were men who sacrificed; they were men who stood for truth when opposed; they were men who did not hesitate to speak for the cause of the Lord; they were men who would even give their lives for that in which they believed. The Hebrew writer has given us many examples; there were many more whose names were not mentioned, but who stood for the ways of God and remained faithful, whatever be the cost. These were people of God "who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens"(Hebrews 11:33-34).

Additionally, "Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection..had trials of mockings and scourgings..bonds and imprisonment.. stoned..sawn..asunder..tempted..slain..desitute..ill treated"(Hebrews 11:35-37).

And we think we have it tough?