Hebrews 11: 8-16
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith, he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith, Abraham, even though he was past age–and Sarah herself was barren–was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
A Thought
God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations although both Abraham and Sarah were now in their old age and without any children. God told Abraham to go to a promised land that later he would receive this land as his inheritance. Although Abraham was like a stranger in a foreign country not knowing where he was going, obeyed God believing him to be faithful. Not falling into unbelief but being strong in faith, in old age Sarah gave birth to a son. Abraham and his family continued living through the righteousness of faith looking forward to their heavenly home, whose foundations and maker is God.
We, too, must see by faith our promised heavenly home and live as a stranger here on earth longing for a new heaven and earth with God in all eternity. We must believe God and know that his word is truth.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for being faithful to your word. Help us to live in your righteousness that comes by faith. Help us to be encouraged and to look forward to all the promises that comes with your love and mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
