By Toni Ford
Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself in several conversations with friends and co-workers about the difference between head knowledge and heart truths, that is, what we know in our head verses what is rooted in our hearts.
It is often easy to read God’s Word and listen to teachings about God and His truths, but to have them take root in our hearts is something different. These conversations had me asking the question, “How can we take His Word, His truths, and the understanding of who God is and make sure all those things become a part of what defines us, becomes our foundation on which we stand, and the motivation for which we deal with life each day?”
This question led me to Hebrews Chapter 11, often referred to “the heroes of faith.” I knew that the peo-ple God included in this chapter were people who understood the “head to heart” concept. As I began reading, Verse 3 immediately stood out: “By faith, we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” Following this verse, Chapter 3 immediately begins to explain how each hero lived out a life of faith. One specific thing I noticed was that with each person(s) there was an action step. Listed below are a few examples.
Abel, “Brought.” Hebrews 11:4 says. “It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts.” Abel and Cain had been taught at a young age to bring the first and the best to the Lord as an offering for sacrifice. We see that Cain chose not to bring his best, and that choice affected him all his life. Abel, even though he might not have understood the reason or the greater spiritual meaning behind bringing the best, by faith, obeyed God and brought his firstborn and best lamb from his flock as a sacrifice to the Lord.
Noah, “Built.” Hebrews 11:7 says, “It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.” Noah heard what God was saying and the warnings He gave about destroying the entire earth, but it was not until Noah acted on his faith and built the ark that the Lord was able to confirm His covenant with Noah.
Abraham, “Obeyed and Moved. Hebrews 11:8 says, “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. Abraham went without knowing where he was going.” In order for Abraham to become the father of many nations, he had to leave his native country, his father and relatives and by faith go to the land where the Lord directed him. By faith, Abraham left and went.
Moses, “Left.” Hebrews 11:27 says, “It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.” Moses had no idea what was ahead or even exactly where he was going. All he knew is that God had told him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and Moses obeyed.
The people of Israel, “Marched.” Hebrews 11:30 says, “It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.” The people of Israel heard God’s instructions to keep silent and march around the walls, but it was not until they took the step to march around the walls that the Lord was able to give them victory over their enemies, along with new territory to claim as their own.
There are at least seven to eight more examples in this chapter of people who had truths of God they had learned at a young age. Those truths had moved from their head to their hearts, and they were willing to risk it all to follow their God. It all goes back to foundation. When our foundation in strong in the Lord and we trust Him regardless of our circumstances, we then can move with faith in knowing He will be our provider!
Lord, today I ask that you help us to not just believe, but to believe in faith. Please take what we know and have learned about You to move from head knowledge to heart truths, for we know this is where true freedom lies. Thank you, Lord!
If you would like me to join you in prayer, please e-mail me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!