It is a painful and difficult thing to lose a loved one. It hurts to see a person we care about pass on. But as I grow older, and the longer I am in ministry, the easier it is for me to accept these times. As much as we will miss those we lose we can take comfort in knowing that they have moved on to their reward, a glorious welcome in heaven surrounded by the love and mercy of God.
The author of Hebrews is speaking of such things in these verses. What did these faithful people NOT receive? What did they do? How did they see themselves? What were they looking for? How does God feel about these faithful people?
There are so many people in our lives who have lived out their faith, and in so doing they have handed this example on to us. Through their witness and example we now know how to live a life of faith.
The faithful believers who have gone on before us were keeping their eyes fixed on heaven. Their thoughts were thoughts of Godly things and not earthly things. They did not see the second coming of Christ. They did not see the end of days as we know them, but they knew in their hearts that these things were coming, are still coming.
They were aware that we are on this earth for only a short time in comparison with eternity, and they were content in knowing that a better place awaited them.
We should follow their example and live a life of faith ourselves, knowing that the earthly things are temporary and fleeting. We should keep our vision fixed on the eternal God.
In living a life of faithfulness, of following God’s commands and living out the instructions of Christ, we are setting an example to those who will follow us. In living a life that longs for God’s kingdom we are pleasing God. He is not ashamed to call Himself our God. He has prepared a place for us as well, a heavenly city far better than the life we live.
DAILY CHALLENGE: What does living a life of faith require of you?
No comments:
Post a Comment