These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ~Hebrews 11:13
After speaking about the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob, the writer of Hebrews notes the connecting thread in all of their lives; they died not receiving the fulfillment of the promises of God, but could see the fulfillment of them and were content with God’s timing for them. Not one of them considered themselves citizens of the present world, but acknowledged they were just passing through on their way to a world and time coming promised by God. Their contentment and hope (an assured belief) was in God’s promises not in whatever the here and now could provide. They were living for the line of eternity and not for the dot of today.
For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ~Hebrews 11:14
People who are on the same journey for the distant homeland of God’s fulfilled promises, ought to be clear and dedicated to following the same path these examples of faith were. This past Sunday Pastor showed us the path they had all taken and committed their lives to; he called it the “Footpath of Faith.” To journey the “Footpath of Faith” we must:
- See God’s promises
- Be persuaded by God’s promises
- Embrace God’s promises
- Rest on God’s promises
- Confess God’s promises
Abraham did not know Jesus experientially, but could “see” His day coming and received it as one would receive a close and dear friend in a warm embrace. This is the nature of true faith when it looks to the man Christ Jesus and embraces the promises of salvation from the consequences of sin and God’s wrath on it.
“Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” ~John 8:56
For us the question is “What are we living for?” Pastor’s message was a solid word for traveling the path of faith leading to an eternity with God rather than living for the very finite dot we are bound to now. Let us not be pouring our time, resources, and lives into things that have no eternal good, but rather let us be giving ourselves to those things which our Savior set before us as worthy. What things you ask?
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
To put it another way, Jesus wants us to see the infinite worth of pouring our lives into seeking the lost for salvation, building up and serving those who are the church, and loving God by knowing Him and glorifying Him as He alone deserves. This is the path of faith. Do you desire a better existence than the one this world can provide? Do you desire God Himself as your ultimate treasure? If so, then He is your God and He has a home prepared and waiting for you.
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 for them a city. ~Hebrews 11:16