By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”
For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:5-6
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Hebrews 11:6 is a well-known verse. Well, at least the first half of the verse is well-known: Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Unfortunately, sometimes it’s easy to rush through familiar Bible verses. But if we slow down, we often notice something new.
For example, I find the second half of Hebrews 11:6 absolutely fascinating. Look back again at what it says and read it slowly: Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
It makes sense to us that anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists. How would anyone come to God if they didn’t believe He existed?
But the writer goes even further. Not only must those who come to Him believe He exists, they must also believe that “He rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
In other words, our faith in God must extend beyond believing He exists. Our faith, in order to be pleasing to God, must also encompass the fact that we believe He is good and rewards those who come to Him.
It’s an invitation to see God not just as the Creator but as a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to those who seek Him with all their heart.
When was the last time you sat down and thought specifically to yourself, “God will reward me, right now, if I earnestly seek him!”
Even more, how would your daily life change if you lived every moment with that belief?
How often do we chase after things that promise much but give so little? How much time do we waste on pursuits that end up empty? The things of this world often promise happiness but leave us wanting more.
Even worse, so often we make decisions that bring about temporal pleasure in this life, but result in pain, heartbreak, and discipline in the long run.
The Holy Spirit here is promising us just the opposite! When we choose to earnestly seek God with all that we have and are, we will be rewarded.
So, let’s choose to seek God with everything we have. Let’s read His Word, not out of habit, but with the hope of really meeting Him. Let’s pray, expecting a conversation with a God who listens and speaks. Let’s look for Him in every part of our lives, knowing He’s always there and ready to bless us. And when He calls us to action for His kingdom, let’s do what He says.
And as we do, let’s remember that our efforts to seek God are never wasted. In God’s Kingdom, every step towards Him brings rewards for both us and His kingdom.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to you today eager to seek you with all my heart. I confess with my mind and heart that you exist and reward those who earnestly seek you. May that pursuit define my day—and my life. Amen.