LIVING BY FAITH
Part six of fifteen devotions in Heaven Enchantment Series
Hebrews 11:13-14: “All these people were still living by faith
when they died. They did not receive the
things promised; they only saw them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and
strangers on earth. People who say such
things show that they are looking for a country of their own.”
The
opening Scripture refers to believer’s faith heroes: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham. Abel’s offering was better than Cain’s
because of his faith (Hebrews 11:4).
Enoch’s faith was so pleasing that God took him away (Hebrews 11:5). In holy fear, Noah built an ark. His faith condemned the world to destruction as
he became heir to righteousness (Hebrews 11:7).
Abraham
left everything he knew to go where God led him—when he was 75 years old! He lived in tents, settling in the “promised
land” as a stranger in a foreign country (Genesis 12:3, Hebrews 11:8-9).
Our
faith heroes were often enslaved, taken captive. They were frequently at war, living in
poverty. Their lives were often hard and
cruel.
What
promises God gave these faith heroes while they were alive are delivered in Heaven:
1) They wanted a home of their own. “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for
her husband.” (Revelation 21:2).
2)
They wanted Messiah to remain with them.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of
God is with men, and He will live with them.
They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their
God.’” (Revelation 21:3).
3)
They wanted to live in peace and joy.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation
21:4).
4)
They were sure to receive promised rewards.
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to
everyone according to what he has done.”
(Revelation 22:12).
Present
day saints are inspired by faith heroes.
We learn, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because
anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those
who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
“We
live by faith, not by sight.” (2
Corinthians 5:7).
Take
Home Nugget
The lesson linked below compares deliverance that the
prophet Isaiah promised Old Testament Hebrews with what God fulfills to all
believers in heaven.
Faith
in the risen Christ opens the heavenly door for believers to enter.
This devotion is adapted from Heaven.
Chapter 14, “When and Where Will Our Deliverance Come?” Alcorn, Randy.
© 2004. Tyndale House of Publishers, Inc. Illinois.
J.D. Griffith
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