Our Daily Bread

Instant nothing

Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

— Hebrews 6:12

In a lighthearted Time magazine essay, Sarah Vowell tells that she signed up for a 3-hour, $39 course called “Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People.” Regretting that she didn’t stick with music lessons as a child, she made it her goal to learn to play one piece by memory. What she found was that even this seemingly simple task required hours of practice. There is no such thing as “instant” piano. But as she continued to practice, a recognizable melody began to emerge from her fingers.

Her experience is a good reminder that though we often desire immediate results in our walk of faith, this too is a matter of patient practice. The writer of Hebrews encouraged Christians to be spiritually diligent throughout their lives. He urged them not to become sluggish but to “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).

Our efforts do not make God’s promises come true. But like Abraham, who patiently endured, we focus on the power and integrity of the living God, whose promises give us hope. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul” (v.19).

Since there are no instant results, let’s keep practicing the Lord’s instructions as we walk patiently by faith toward the fulfillment of all He has promised.

— David McCasland We run with patience day by day, By drawing strength from Christ our Lord; And if we falter by the way, He will renew us through His Word.

— D. De Haan

READ: Hebrews 6:9-20

We conquer by continuing.