By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7 Today’s Epistle is from Hebrews 11, the “by faith” chapter. It lists heroes of faith, people who trusted in God’s promises, assured of what they hoped for (the definition of faith). The Reading from Genesis singles out Abram believing God, for which God counted it to him as righteousness. Now we can look back, knowing that in one descendant of Abraham, Jesus, all God’s promises were kept. His calming words in the Gospel give us the assurance we need to rely on God’s care and concern when we don’t have all we think we need. “Seek [God’s] kingdom, and these things will be added to you,” He promises (Luke 12:31). Our faith-filled response echoes today’s Psalm: “Let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in You” (Psalm 33:22).
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