October 29
Hebrews 11: 8: By faith Abraham, when he was
called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance,
obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9: By faith he sojourned
in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with
Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10: For he looked for
a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
When God gives us faith it
changes how we live.
Abraham was promised a place “which
he should after receive for an inheritance.” It was promised our Redeemer by
God the Father that after he suffered in order to glorify God and redeem his
people that he would receive an inheritance.
It meant sorrow, despising and rejection. (Mt 8: 19-20) But Christ
finished the work of redeeming every elect child of God and highly exalting his
Father. Therefore, God highly exalted him to an everlasting inheritance. Should
our Savior do the same for us and shall we not live for him rather than self?
Shall we not be content to wait until after this light affliction for our
inheritance with Christ? According to God’s promise all is ours, yet may we
live remembering the only thing here that we will end up with is a space large
enough to hold our dead body. (1 Cor 3: 22-23)
Then notice, we begin to walk by
faith, not sight—“he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Abraham believed
God would lead him. (Gen 12: 1)
Better than foresight of what the future held, he had the word of God. So do
you, believer.
Also, faith makes us strangers to
this world—“by faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange
country.” Believer, be a stranger in this world. (Gal 6: 14) Why would we
concern ourselves about another country but our own? (Phil 3: 20-21)
Fourthly, faith lives knowing this
world is passing away—“dwelling in tabernacles (tents).” All our possessions
and dearest ties are as weak as a tent and as apt to be taken down as quickly.
All that this world regards as needful changes as constantly as the evil heart
in man. The more we are attached to the things of this world the more
distraction from believing God. Our only unchangeable rest and righteousness is
Christ. We are not passing away; all the things that hinder us are passing
away. Cling to Christ.
Lastly, faith dwells with fellow
believers—“dwelling…with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same
promise.” Abraham left family and friends, but God gave him sweet new company.
Abraham dwelt in tents but he did so among princes. You could gather together
all the wisest, most powerful, most honorable men of this world and it would
not compare to dwelling in tabernacles with God’s dear brethren, the heirs with
us of the same promise.
Faith determines how we live.