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

If we are in a foreign country, and we keep our mouths shut, we fit right in. However, when we speak, people know we are not from that country. Blending in is not always easy. Two countries represent two stubborn peoples.

Abraham lived by faith. He obeyed the Lord’s call to live as a foreigner and stranger in a new land. Two thousand years later the writer of Hebrews named him a hero. Like the other men and women, who have come and gone, before and after Abraham, he longed for things promised, hoping and waiting for his heavenly home.

God calls us to live by faith, believing that He will fulfill His promises.

Our Daily Bread – March 10, 2016