by Linda G. Hull

Created on: December 17, 2010   Last Updated: December 22, 2010

How many people ever think about waking up in the morning with the express purpose of pleasing God?  Many would probably say they don’t give it a thought.  Besides what would it take to please God?  The Apostle Paul gives us the answer in his letter to the Hebrews in Hebrews 11:6.  It says:  “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (KJV) 

Why is this verse so important?

Some people do not believe that God rewards those who please Him.  Oftentimes people perceive God as a harsh judge who cannot be pleased.  With a fatalistic attitude of “so why try?” many are angry and confused about God and His intentions.  Hebrews 11:6 dispels these misconceptions about God, and affirms the basic concept that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. 

Let’s say people decide to please God.  What would be the first step?  According to Hebrews 11:6, faith is a key element in pleasing God.  Faith seems nebulous and difficult to explain, but Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  In this verse, the word “substance” can be substituted with the word “assurance”.  They mean the same thing.  Faith then is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  Faith is complete trust.

Rephrasing Hebrews 11:6 would mean that without assurance it is impossible to please him.  Assurance in what?  The verse answers the question with “he that cometh to God must believe that he is”.   Pleasing God means believing or being assured that He is.  That is profound!  He exists.  He is present.  He is active in the lives of people.  He is aware. 

The question must be asked, “How can I know that God really does exist?”  God is not visible, nor is He heard, but that does not mean He does not exist.  Evidence of God is seen in our world through nature and nature’s processes.  Study of the intricate functions of the human body will reveal amazingly complex systems present from the creation of the first human. 

A belief in the existence of God means having an understanding that God is present and active in the individual lives of mankind, if personally

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