Daily Encouragement: Day 280

Adapted from Handbook to Spiritual Growth

RESPONDING TO WHAT HE’S REVEALED TO US

As Romans 12:1–2 makes clear, God does not ask us to do anything for Him until He has informed us about what He has done for us. But overexposure and underresponse leads to a bad heart. God is more pleased with our response than with how much we know.

The reason Rahab the harlot is found in Hebrews 11 as an illustration of faith is that, although she knew little, she applied what little she knew. The Pharisees, by contrast, knew a great deal but did not respond in their hearts to what they knew. The magi had very little knowledge about the Messiah but engaged in a long and tedious journey to find Him, while the scribes in Jerusalem, knowing Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, didn’t even bother to accompany the magi on the six-mile journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.

May God grant us the grace to respond in faith and obedience to the things He calls us to trust and apply.