Foreigner

08. August 2018 Hebrews 0

Text: Hebrews 11:7-16

Theme: As foreigners here, we must have faith for a better place.

Key verses: “…By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith (v. 7b). “And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith–for he was like a foreigner, living in tents…Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God” (v. 9-10). “All these people died still believing what God had promised them…They agreed that they were like foreigners and nomads here on earth” (v. 13). “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 city for them” (v. 16). 

What God said to me: Those last words need to be the first words you take notice of. Read it again: “That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God…” By inference, that means I am ashamed to be called the God of some. Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels” (Luke 9:26). Dwayne, the reality is that I am not pleased with–yea, I am ashamed of–those who call themselves believers and followers of mine, yet they don’t believe me and trust me and follow after me. I grow weary of my children (you included, at times) setting their minds on earthly things, rather than on things above. The saints of old named here–Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and others–all felt like foreigners on your earth. They were all looking for an eternal city, a better place, to call their permanent home. They didn’t get caught up and distracted by the fleeting affairs and alluring pleasures of this world. They didn’t get tired of trusting me, to the point of giving up, because they knew this world was not their home. They were just passing through. They turned their eyes, minds and hearts upward–and they kept them there day in and day out. They were “looking” for a better place. They never stopped looking. They never grew content and settled in the world around them. Your world and all that is in it is passing away. You only have one life that soon will pass. Only what is done for my Son will last. Look up, Dwayne. Then look around with godly vision to those who don’t yet know me and don’t have the hope of a better place.

What I said to God: Father, again I am wrecked by Your Word. Thank You for speaking to me, despite my shortcomings and failures. You know how often I cast my eyes around me to things I should not desire or set my heart on. Please forgive me. Help me to die to myself today and set my mind on things above, where Christ is seated at Your right hand. I have been raised with Jesus Christ! I am an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ. Wow, please help me and my family and all believers to remember and focus on that awesome, breath-taking truth. As the old southern gospel song says, “I’m looking for a city where we’ll never die.” I want that to be more than a song to me; I pray that becomes and continues as my reality all the days of my life.