8It 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. 9And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. 11It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
13All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16But 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 city for them. (Hebrews 11:8-16 NLT)
The first sentence of Hebrews chapter 11 is, “1Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” The power of this truth is only superseded by the reality of verse 13, “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it from a distance and welcomed it.” I know that when someone promises something to me I expect the promise to be kept. I do not expect to be shortchanged in this life when there are things that I am owed – and I will go to great lengths to make certain that I am not. But what of God’s promises to me? What am I promised as an adopted child of God? And when do I receive it?
I am promised salvation from sin, death and eternity in Hell.
I receive salvation now - as one who has professed faith in Jesus the Christ.
I receive its freedom now which, by the way, empowers me to live!
I enter heaven in the presence of God after I die.
What? You were expecting more? What more, exactly, do you want?
Like Abraham and Moses, I intend to die still believing what God has promised me; and also like Abraham and Moses, I do indeed see it from a distance and welcome it.
13All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16But 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 city for them. (Hebrews 11:8-16 NLT)
The first sentence of Hebrews chapter 11 is, “1Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” The power of this truth is only superseded by the reality of verse 13, “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it from a distance and welcomed it.” I know that when someone promises something to me I expect the promise to be kept. I do not expect to be shortchanged in this life when there are things that I am owed – and I will go to great lengths to make certain that I am not. But what of God’s promises to me? What am I promised as an adopted child of God? And when do I receive it?
I am promised salvation from sin, death and eternity in Hell.
I receive salvation now - as one who has professed faith in Jesus the Christ.
I receive its freedom now which, by the way, empowers me to live!
I enter heaven in the presence of God after I die.
What? You were expecting more? What more, exactly, do you want?
Like Abraham and Moses, I intend to die still believing what God has promised me; and also like Abraham and Moses, I do indeed see it from a distance and welcome it.
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