Daily Bread: Living by Faith for a Heavenly Home

😇 Shalom to all.
God’s word today:

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 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 ‭11‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Hebrews 11:13–16 contains a very beautiful statement:“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.”

Who are “they”?

“They” primarily refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are mentioned in the preceding verses.

Why is “God not ashamed to be called their God”?

This is a very profound expression.

Imagine this: Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, is not ashamed to associate His name with weak and imperfect human beings.

In fact, God Himself introduced Himself as: “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” — Exodus 3:6

Jesus also quoted this passage when explaining that God is “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Matthew 22:32).

Why was God not ashamed?

Because they were people who lived by faith in Him.

This does not mean that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived perfect lives.

* They failed at times.
* Abraham was afraid.
* Abraham and Sarah tried to find their own solution through Hagar.
* Jacob sometimes used deceptive and manipulative ways.

This reminds us that God is not looking for people whose lives are already perfect, but for hearts that trust Him and remain faithful to Him.

What made God “not ashamed” was their relationship of faith with Him. They acknowledged that they were “strangers and pilgrims” on the earth.

Hebrews 11:14–16 explains:

“For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland… But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.”

They lived on earth, worked, built families, possessed things, and carried on with their everyday lives—but their hearts were set on a better home, a heavenly homeland.

Their faith, therefore, had an eternal perspective.

Their lives were saying:

“This world is not my final destination. God and His promises are my ultimate destination.”

If we belong to God, then this world is not our final home. God is preparing a far better home for us.

Prayer:
O Lord, teach me to live like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to trust You even when I have not yet seen all Your promises fulfilled.

Do not allow my heart to become attached to this world, but turn the eyes of my heart toward the better homeland—the place You have prepared for me in heaven.
O God, help me to remain faithful to You until the end.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bless you
ps caleblusi