Walk As We REALLY ARE—Strangers & Exiles—Here!
“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and
(Hebrews 11: 13-16 NASB 1995 Translation)
having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had the opportunity to return.
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.”
Often, I have read the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews, seeing the names of those men and women who gained approval, who walked by faith, of those who died in faith. In the past, as I read this “Hall of Faith,” I have focused upon the names of those saints of God who are listed, and truly, the names of those saints are important because they represent a godly group of people who overcame life-struggles, who even in their humanity, trusted God.
Nevertheless, today, as I read this eleventh chapter of Hebrews, I did not find my focus upon the names of earthly people but on two God-Truths:
“having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.”
&
“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 men & women CONFESSED to the world AS THEY LIVED—THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS, EXILES, SOJOURNERS (a temporary resident) JUST PASSING THROUGH EARTH!
- These saints of God LOOKED FORWARD TOWARD THEIR HEAVENLY HOME, ONE PREPARED FOR THEM BY GOD HIMSELF!
Today, I am reminded how Christians are to Walk through every day As We REALLY ARE—Strangers & Exiles—Here!
Today, I am reminded how Believers are to Walk through every day As We Really ARE—
Strangers & Exiles—Just Passing Through to our Heavenly Home!
Our Savior Jesus spoke of our Heavenly Home as He prepared His disciples for His crucifixion. Let us pause to read the words of our SAVIOR—
“Do not let your heart be troubled;
(John 14: 1-6 NASB 1995 Translation)
believe in God
believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places;
if it were not so, I would have told you;
for I go to prepare a place for you.
If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
And you know the way where I am going.”
Thomas said to Him,
[One of the disciples said to Jesus]
“Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”
Jesus said to him,
“I am the way,
and the truth,
and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
As I type the words of Jesus, the melody “Running Home” by Cochren & Co. plays into my ears, and I cannot help but share some of the lyrics here. So, I asked you to place your earbuds in your ears, find this wonderful song, and be reminded HOW we must live as sojourners here on earth.
“I’m running.
I’m running.
I’m running HOME.
He called my name.
&
He stole my shame.
Out of the dark, into His arms—I’m running . . . HOME!
Everything changed when I came running . . . HOME!”
- Jesus Himself assures us in His Word of the place He has prepared!
- Jesus Himself tells us that there is only—ONE WAY—to reach the place!
- Jesus Himself states that—HE ALONE IS THE WAY—to the place He has prepared!
- Jesus Himself reminds us of that—HE is the Truth!
- Jesus Himself promises us of that—HE is the Way to Life!
- Jesus Himself says, “no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Those who have lived, who have walked the face of the earth, who have BELIEVED & PLACED THEIR FAITH in the WORD of the SON of GOD—are already there in Heaven & in the presence of the Father!
- As they lived on earth, they confessed to those who they knew how they were exiles & strangers—Here!
- As they walked through their life, they lived in such a way that others saw in their words & in their actions that they—Sought a Home (a Country) Not Found Here on Earth!
- Their friends and co-workers heard these saints of God speak of “a better country, that is , a heavenly one.”
- Their family and neighbors living down the street witnessed through their daily lives how their lives aligned with God & because it did: “God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”
Faith is a verb, an action!
In the Word of God, we find a book titled The Acts of the Apostles, & we find this Scripture:
“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that
(The Acts of the Apostles 13: 38-39 NASB 1995 Translation)
through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you
and
through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things,
from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”
If you know me, then you know I am a “rock-lover” and a “Sharpie-user.” So today, I encourage you to consider the season of life you are walking through. Realize the course is not a haphazard course but a walk, a life on purpose!
Our Purpose is not anchored in what we choose to do for a living!
&
Our Purpose is not one that just happens by chance decisions!
BECAUSE
Our Purpose is Anchored by the LOVE of God!
Our Purpose is Anchored by the Solid Rock of Jesus!
&
Our Purpose is Anchored by the Grace of our Heavenly Father!
- Maybe today would be a great day to pick up a rock to carry in our pocket, and before we place it into our pocket,
- Maybe we should write on our rock—PURPOSE—so we are reminded to Walk As We REALLY ARE—Strangers & Exiles—Here!
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
(Numbers 23: 19 NASB 1995 Translation)
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will he not make it good?”