Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1
When Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on his first voyage on August 3, 1492, his motivation for this mission came from God. Though Columbus was ridiculed by many for his calling to sail to the far reaches of the globe with the Christian message, he prayed and searched the Scriptures and found assurance.
Columbus wrote, “It was the Lord who put it into my mind, (I could feel His hand upon me), the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies… For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps. It is simply the fulfillment of what Isaiah had prophesied…”
And Columbus knew the Holy Spirit was directing his path and giving him wisdom.
“No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service. The working out of all things has been assigned to each person by our Lord, but it all happens according to His sovereign will, even though He gives advice,” he wrote.
Psalm 147:11 says, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” When the Scriptures tell you to fear God, it means to have awe, reverence and respect. So humbly approach Him each day knowing that whatever He has called you to do, He will guide your every step. Pray that your local and national leaders trust Him for wisdom in their personal and public decisions.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 11:17
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 56
Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
all day long an attacker oppresses me;
2 my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many attack me proudly.
3 When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
5 All day long they injure my cause;[b]
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They stir up strife, they lurk;
they watch my steps,
as they have waited for my life.
7 For their crime will they escape?
In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!
8 You have kept count of my tossings;[c]
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
in the day when I call.
This I know, that[d] God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 I must perform my vows to you, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
