If they had received the promised land, would they have felt at home?
all of these people were still living by faith when they died.they did not receive the things promised; they only welcomed them from a distance. and they admitted they were strangers and aliens on this earth.
Can you imagine? Coming close enough to see but not near enough to receive…read it yourself in Hebrews 11. No, it doesn’t make sense, but it does seem like “faith’s work.” Here are some of my “”unfinished thoughts” about the passage journaled on the plane journey home. I’d love to hear yours…
it would be as if we’re standing on the deck of the cruise ship, watching the dim outline of Mt. Etna from a distance. we plan our excursion, strap on our hiking sandals, and imagine the view we will enjoy when we reach the summit. then the captain comes on board and tells us we can only anchor near the island, and in place of the excursion, there will be a virtual climb in the Ixtapa lounge.
unlike the ancients, we have experienced the freedom redemption brings. we are now able to climb the heights of joy in the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 12:1) though some days sin will quench our desire to make the excursion. we can know rest (Hebrews 4), though some days we expend all our energies in seeking satisfaction from gods that cannot give it.
