Did you ever do a swan dive off the top bunk into your daddy’s strong arms? You had faith. You could trust your daddy! Even with the lights off, you could “see” that your daddy was able!
As a preface to the Hall of Faith, the Bible defines faith. It is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)
Abraham had faith! He must have had abundant faith, because he gets more ink in Hebrews 11 than any of the Old Testament heroes.
Abraham was sure that God had graciously granted him a homeland. He hadn’t seen it, but he was sure because God had promised! And when he arrived in Canaan, he was still looking forward to being home... to the home that God had promised. Canaan was not the ultimate promise!
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews says that Abraham was “looking forward” to living in an eternal home designed and built by God. (Hebrews 11:10) He was diligently “seeking a homeland” (11:14), a “better country, that is, a heavenly one.” (11:16)
Abraham lived in Canaan for decades, but he never owned it... a tiny burial plot was the only parcel of land he owned. He understood that he was only a “stranger and an exile.” (11:13)
But by faith, Abraham did hold the deed to an eternal home! He had an eternal perspective! ... an eternal perspective! Let that sink in!
Where is your focus? Are you building a kingdom on earth? Are you treasuring the treasures that are temporal, mortal ... those that have an expiration date?
We have so much to learn from Abraham.
The house on East Easy Street may be paid for, and you might have the deed in the lock box. But like Abraham, I hope you have a better home in heaven awaiting you! And I hope you spend time dreaming about ... home. Sweet home!
It can be yours today... by faith!
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