Who will be the “heroes” of our day?
Hebrews 11:13-14 “13 These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.” (HCS)
https://youtu.be/MA5BfCX3e7Q Heaven is my Home Highlands Worship
“These” were the heroes of the faith: Abel, Noah, Abraham, many others, all of our favorite stories about God’s people. We study their lives. Going over every detail, we learn about the lives they lived. Men of faith who were martyred, but lived according to the promise they received from God.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had the opportunity to return. 16 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.
These Heroes were looking forward to a heavenly home, a better country, a city God has prepared for them, and Us!
Sometimes we spend so much of our lives looking back. Whether it is cherished memories or regrets, we look back. We are either wishing for the past or regretting decisions we made and what a chance to change.
Memories are great!! They are a gift from God. I am so grateful for memories of my children, home, mom, and other family times. But they are not meant to be our life. Life is to live looking forward. We are to be growing, building our faith, equipping others, and encouraging those around us.
Have you heard someone say, “I have nothing to look forward to?”
No, No, we have much to look forward to as a believer in Jesus.
God does not leave us here without purpose! Nothing is wasted; the good, the bad, and the ugly are all part of His process to refine us, build us into the character worthy of HIs image.
Heroes don’t quit
The Heroes in Hebrews 11 did not quit! They had times that were hard and they had failures. Some even wanted to die or for God to strike them dead. But they persevered. God sustained them because of His grace and mercy just as He does us. Verse 15 tells us they confessed they were foreigners and temporary residents of this place. They were seeking a different homeland. They desired a better place–a heavenly one. Because they were looking forward,” God was pleased to be their God.”
Their faith pleased the Father of their nation and of all nations. Their faith kept them going.
Mom’s Story of Faith
My mom worked hard as a single mom with 4 girls to raise. She had a quote she found that sat on her workstation. It said, “God keep me going.” It was her way of saying I am doing all I can here and now, but I need your strength to make it one more day, one more hour.
She was looking forward to Jesus’ return! She studied God’s Word every moment she had free. When the end came, she was ready spiritually. She fought to stay because of her girls but we were there when she saw the vision of John, (we believe John the Revelator). She described what she saw to us in the last hours. It was a holy moment for us. God’s presence was there with us.!
We are only here for a little while. Looking back with regrets and unforgiveness keeps us stuck and we miss opportunities to serve. Sometimes we live like this world is our playground. We play, we gather, we live our lives with “wishes.”
Play, enjoy life
Play, enjoy and live the life God’s blessed us with but by all means remember we are here for God’s purposes, created in His image and for His glory.
Our citizenship, our home is in heaven. A place that will be more than we can think or imagine. Jesus’ return is closer than ever.
Spend some time today thinking about your heavenly home and Jesus’ return.
We are only treading water til Jesus comes. Keep your head up and God will sustain you and me.
Freda Reynolds
“Heaven is my home I am just a passin through”
Additional Reading: from Patricia Cook
The Winnowing Process
