Hebrews 11:13-16
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
These examples long ago of God’s people living, breathing, and walking according to faith’s compass are recorded here for us to learn from and to imitate in the direction their hears journeyed towards. Though they had been given great promises as we have (2 Peter 1:4) been given by grace in Christ, they did not see them in their lifetimes. They realized that heaven in God’s presence was their true home (Revelation 21:3) where God would not only walk with them in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8), but where they would worship and enjoy His majestic presence forever as well (Job 19:25-27)! That is the homeland we also seek. They were afraid at times and wanting to go back to where they came from when the journey was harsh, but still they pressed on (Philippians 3:14,20) to the place God prepared for them (John 14:2-4). God Himself is not ashamed to call them and us His people whom He chose and gave these exceedingly great promise to; He has proven this by such grace in His goodness to prepare this celestial city of God for us. This is why we do not lose heart, but follow the compass of His word to that eternal destiny as the forefathers did.
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