City Life Starter

I. The Word: Hebrews 11:1, 6, Psalm 37:3-5

“Now faith is the assurance (substance) of things hoped (expected) for, the
conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“And 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 seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness, Delight
yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your
way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Psalm 37:3-5

II. Study Questions

1. Faith is one of the few words the bible defines for us (Hebrews 11:1). How
does faith manifest in your life?

2. What do you think the Bible means by “cultivate faithfulness”?

Psalm 37:3-5 is a word the Lord spoke to me concerning marriage many years ago (29 to be exact!). I was single, 33 years old, and was trusting God for a husband. By trusting in Him, His word to me became the substance or assurance that He was going to do what He promised.

While in my twenties I turned down two marriage proposals. The first was from someone I had known since childhood, but he was not a follower of Jesus so I knew I could not marry him. The Bible says not to be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 6:14). That was a matter of simple obedience and understanding the wisdom of God’s word. It is hard to be married happily to someone when you do not even agree on Who should be most important in your life.

The second was a very strong believer and someone I had a crush on all through college, but we didn’t date until after I graduated. He was very sure I was the one but I prayed and slowly began to feel he was not the one the Lord had chosen for me. That was difficult, but I decided to wait, trusting the Lord knew what was better for me than I did.

I was able to trust in Him and wait in both instances because I believed God was a “rewarder of those who seek Him” and I knew it was my responsibility to “cultivate faithfulness” and I did that by listening to His word.

Almost exactly one year after the Lord gave me that scripture in Psalm 37 and told me He would provide a husband, I fell in love with and was married to Scott. Had I not been obedient, trusted God, and cultivated faithfulness, I would not have experienced God’s best for me.