These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from where they came, they might have desired the opportunity to return, but now they desire a better country, one that is heavenly: because of this God is not ashamed to be called their God and he has prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:13-16
Every human (with the exception of Enoch and Elijah) died. Some died in faith, faith of a life to come. Through faith they received promises; promises that were to them yet far into the future. But even though the promises were almost too distant for them to grasp, still they believed; were persuaded that the promises were true and embraced (they held them close in their hearts) them.
As a result of their faith they admitted that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth. Through faith they (we seek) sought for a better country, one that is heavenly. The result is that God has prepared for them (us) a city and of this city there is nothing on this earth to compare with it.
Why am I still here?
For those who have died in the faith there was nothing on this earth worth holding on to therefore, they welcomed the “change” that was about to take place when they left this life. I have heard people ask, “Why am I still here?” They felt that their usefulness was in the past and they desired to go “home” to be with the Lord. Now I have lived almost as many years as they had when they asked that question. I am not quite ready to ask “the question” but it could any day now.
Are we holding onto something that we cannot keep? Is life on this earth so good that we are not willing to let it go? Perhaps we should hold on to that which we cannot lose. What do you think? There is better country, one that is heavenly awaiting us. While our trek through this life can be good, that which awaits us is out of this world. Amen, amen and amen.
