Hbr 11:8-16 NLT - [8] It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. [9] And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith--for he was like a foreigner, living in a tent. And so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise. [10] Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. [11] It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep his promise. [12] And so a whole nation came from this one man, Abraham, who was too old to have any children--a nation with so many people that, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. [13] All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God. They agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth. [14] And obviously people who talk like that are looking forward to a country they can call their own. [15] If they had meant the country they came from, they would have found a way to go back. [16] But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them.
Faith is not a mere belief, but a lifestyle. Hebrews 11 reminisces on the great heroes of faith. Their actions were not merely one-time events, but a pattern of living that reflected they were “looking forward to a country they [could] call their own.” One such example is the faith of Abraham. Such a popular example this is that Abraham is often called “the father of faith.” Why? Abraham’s story is not only a story concerning the origin of God’s nation, Israel, but a journey revealing God’s faithfulness to man and man’s faithful response to God.
Notice the Scripture immediately states that “Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and to go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance.” Without question, God’s children ought to follow Him. I do not mean that Abraham likely questioned where God was leading him or how he would get there, but that Abraham went knowing that God would provide a location and a means of travel. Hebrews says that “he went without knowing where he was going,” and that “even when he reached the land God had promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in a tent.” Even when we do know where God is leading us, truly faithful men and women will “live there by faith.” Through trials and tribulations, the man of faith continues to camp in foreign lands because God has a plan for him.
Also recognize that God provides for Abraham during his journey. Verse 11 says that “it was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren. Abraham believed that God would keep his promise.” Even when we are exactly where God wants us to be, it is natural for us to have desires and needs. We often worry that God will not provide, but Genesis 15.6 explains that Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith.” Abraham knew he had needs. He knew, however, that God would provide for him. We need men and women of such faith! We need to believe God is our provision even when the world is crashing around us. Remember that when the impossible needs to be done, God does the impossible. If God can give a barren aged woman a child, He can provide for your needs. We must only trust Him!
Verse 16 says that the heroes of faith “were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them.” Abraham was looking ahead to a day where he was with God. That is our true home. The weaker Christian thinks of eternity and imagines a life trapped in an infinite array of floating clouds with an old bearded man. The man strong in the Lord sees an eternity spent with the One he is mad over—the One he is infatuated with and can’t stop thinking about. Faith means believing that we will receive such a kingdom. That is why Hebrews 11.1 says that “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” What do we hope for? Do we hope for a day where we will be forever with Christ? Let us be men and women of faithfulness—men and women who seek God continuously, and long passionately and obsessively about that day when we shall see eternally His face. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
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