Hebrews 11 Devotional

Strangers Looking for a City

“Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”Hebrews 11:16 (BSB)

Hebrews 11 is a long roll call of people who trusted God, from Abel to Rahab and beyond. Faith is described at the start as being sure of what is hoped for and convinced of what cannot be seen (11:1). Abraham obeyed and set out not knowing his destination (11:8). Sarah trusted that the one who had promised was faithful (11:11). Faith looks away from itself to the God who has spoken.

The chapter is honest about how faith can look on earth. Some saw victories (11:33-34). Others were mocked, imprisoned, and killed, people the world did not deserve (11:36-38). All of them died without receiving what was promised (11:13, 39). They lived as strangers, longing for a better, heavenly country, and God is willing to be known as their God, for he has a city ready for them (11:16). Faith does not promise an easy road. It rests on a God who keeps his word beyond the grave, so you can trust him even while the promise is still far off.

To think about: Where do you need to keep walking with God today even though you cannot yet see where the road ends?