A Heavenly Country

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:8-16

In January 1915 the ship Endurance was trapped and crushed in the ice off the coast of Antarctica. One man led the group to a tiny island, and then he and a few others set off for an island 800 miles away. The odds seemed impossible, and if he failed those on the small island would surely die. Four months later a larger boat arrived. The man asked if all were well. They responded, “All safe! All Well!”

The men had placed their faith in one man. They believed there would be a way.

As we look out upon the horizon of our own problems, may we not despair. May we have hope through the certainty in One Man – Jesus, our God and Savior.

The hope of Jesus shines brightly even on our darkest day.

Our Daily Bread – October 14, 2015