This post was last updated on January 25, 2026

Day 329, Year 1

Have Faith to Receive God’s Reward

“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.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)

Today’s scripture outlines the secret of God’s pleasing to those who trust in Him, and also explains the real faith that makes us persevering in seeking God in the substantial hope of receiving His reward, which will change our destiny.

In the first place, faith is not about changing the circumstances around us, but about changing our lives, specifically about motivating us toward God to seek Him and please Him, and to be rewarded by Him. Implicit in the verse is the vital message that our effective faith can connect with God and communicate with Him. Enoch, mentioned in the previous verse, is a very good example. Godly faith can initiate a process of seeking God. The first step is to believe that God is accessible and communicative. The authors of the Book of Hebrews had no doubt that by substantial faith, Christians can please God by knowing what He likes and dislikes. Then, we need to make decisions and actions that follow God’s will in order to magnify our trust in Him, to rejoice in Him, and to cause Him to reward those who seek Him. Although the verse is short, it describes a long process of seeking God in faith, understanding Him, and following Him in faithful supplications. As a result, our faith can shake God’s hand, please Him, and cause Him to act and reward us.

Second, God is always the present “I am.” It is not enough for a person to believe that he or she can come before God, but it is necessary to understand what kind of God He is. I would like to add comments on this verse with the most important belief of the God of Old Testament Judaism and New Testament Christianity, who is the eternal “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). This means that God is the center of the whole universe, the visible and the invisible, and the center of every life, plus the source and fulfillment of each person’s “true self.” All of humanity’s true self is in God. Furthermore, the writers imply that “He is who I am” in today’s verse. Everyone who seeks God in faith must believe that He exists at the present moment. This is not a fantasy or an illusion, but a promise that the scriptures give to every believer. Therefore, whenever we pray, do trust that God is listening. Otherwise, they must first get rid of unbelief and grumbling toward Him from within. By the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ, believers can humbly come to the Father and ask Him in prayer. And such prayers of faith will surely be acceptable and heard by God.

Reflection questions:

1) In what ways can you develop the effective faith coming into God’s presence mentioned above?

2) Do you want to please God or others? How do you need to adjust your life if you want to please God alone?