Abraham and his descendants all looked for a promised land, and some knew they were foreigners and strangers on the earth and that God had promised them a heavenly country. They died in faith having seen God’s promise afar off, but they were still assured, and they embraced and confessed this promise.
God will join all these faithful ones who didn’t receive the promise in this world with us for all eternity in the Kingdom of God. For Scripture says that we will not be made perfect (complete) without them. ‘God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect’ (Hebrews 11:40).
For all such as call on Him and believe in Him God has prepared an eternal city. Even in Old Testament times the Holy Spirit was very much in evidence, for God proclaimed to His people that His victories were not won by might or by power but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). But since Jesus has come, died on the cross, and risen again, God has shown us that His promise is assured. He has not only given us His Word, but has sent the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit to live within us, as a guarantee that we belong to Him and that He has a place reserved for us in His eternal Kingdom. He ‘set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come’ (2 Corinthians 1:22).
And so we sing: Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,
O what a foretaste of glory divine.
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His Blood
This is my story, this is my song –
Praising my Saviour all the day long Fanny Crosby
Prayer: Wonderful Saviour, we thank You that You have put eternity in our hearts and it is not Your will that any should perish. Our understanding is small, but we know that You made man to be an eternal being, and in Your great mercy You died that we might choose eternal life. We give all glory and praise to Your name. Amen.
"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, NIV
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Pam Smith has a background in art and nursing, has a son and two daughters and six grandchildren. She has been a friend and helper of Ellel Ministries since l992, and has been involved with Healing Through Creativity Courses. As writer of the Shepherd Love Series, she has a passion for the comfort and encouragement that leads people towards enjoying abundant Life in Jesus.