Thought from today’s Bible reading from Hebrews 11-13.
Hebrews 11 contains several examples of ones who lived by faith. One of the characteristics that distinguished them as being people of faith was their understanding of their place in the world.
“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).
These individuals knew, and were willing to confess, that they were “strangers and exiles on the earth.” They knew that the promises of God, though seen “from a distance,” were better than what they could hope to gain in this life without God.
We must have the same kind of faith today. With this faith we will
- welcome God’s promises (2 Peter 3:13; 1 John 2:25);
- confess that we are strangers and exiles on the earth (1 Peter 2:11; Philippians 3:20);
- not return to our old lives we had before following God (Romans 6:1-2, 11);
- continue to press on to our heavenly home (Philippians 3:12-14).
The Lord will have a home in heaven prepared for us if we are faithful (John 14:2-3). Let us be like the faithful of old and not lose sight of our reward. This world is not our home; our home is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, let us continue to serve God in faith so that we might be able to reach that heavenly home.
Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Timothy 1-4
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
