The Enduring Faith, Part 8 – Hebrews 11:15-16

And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 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 a city for them. Heb 11:15-16

One thing we have learned as we continue in this series on faith is that genuine faith endures. Despite setbacks, discouragement, and sins, the patriarchs persevered in their spiritual pilgrimage, overcoming their trials by faith. They had the opportunity to return to their old lives, but instead of looking back to the world, they continually looked forward to their heavenly homeland. Like the patriarchs, all who are in Christ Jesus are spiritual nomads in the world. We are on a journey to reach heaven, where we will dwell with God forever, so we must endure in faith and remain loyal to our God. In this portion of Hebrews, we consider what motivated the patriarchs to overcome the world by faith.

The patriarchs desired and look forward to heaven. (But as it is, they desire a better county, that is a heavenly one.)

The patriarchs’ fervent longing for heaven empowered their faith to continue forward in their spiritual journey. The patriarchs didn’t passively wait for heaven. They longed after the heavenly city, and they were wholeheartedly committed to endure until they reached it. Heaven must be the Christian’s daily desire. Believers who think little of heaven will think much of the world, and their lives will not be distinct from the rest of the world. Heaven is incomparably better than the world. Whereas this world is passing away, the heavenly city lasts forever. (1Jn 2:15-17) True satisfaction is experienced in heaven alone. Though we live as foreigners in this temporary world, we will finally be settled in peace forever once we reach heaven. (1Pet 1:1, Rev 21:3)

The patriarchs realized that God is not ashamed to be their God. (Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God…)

By faith, the patriarchs knew that God was pleased by them. (Heb 11:6) God is not ashamed to be our God, and He proved it by making a covenant with us to be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Though there is nothing we have done or could do to please God, God smiles upon us and calls us His own because He placed us in Jesus, who has perfectly pleased God the Father. (Rom 8:15-17) We cast ourselves on God’s grace and mercy alone, and in Christ, we find grace upon grace and new mercies every morning to be accepted and loved by our God.

The patriarchs trusted in God’s work. (…He has prepared a city for them.)

God is the one who has prepared heaven for those who live and die in faith. We can not trust man’s work, but we can trust God completely. Heaven will be an indescribably beautiful city, built by the love of God. (Rev 21:18-19) There is no sickness or death in heaven- everything that we suffer through in the world will not exist in the city of God.

Faith will be strengthened as we meditate on heaven, God’s love, and God’s Work during our pilgrimage through the world. Take heart, for the God who has built this glorious city is the God who will sustain our faith until we reach our heavenly home.