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Daily Devotion: Hebrews 11:9-10

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Hebrews 11:9-10    "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  (10)  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

There is an old Gospel hymn that begins, "This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue."  We read in today's passage, "By faith he (Abraham) sojourned in the land of promise, as in a stange country." The Lord took Abraham to the land of Canaan and promised that land to his heirs. He lived in temporary houses because that was not his permanent home. It was a strange country to him. I do not know how long it took Abraham to arrive in Canaan, but we can safely assume it was at least twenty five years. He was looking for a place where God reigned supreme. When he arrived in Canaan, he saw the people were idol worshipers.

I slide down a few verses that I believe explains how Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob felt.  "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.  (14)  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country." (Hebrews 11:13-14) They were seeking a country. They saw it by faith and were persuaded God is faithful to His promises. They embraced His promises; yet, confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They were looking for that "city which hath foundations." Abraham even sought twice to go into strange cities. Once he went into Egypt because of a famine.  Another time Abraham tried to find refuge in a city of Canaan. Both times proved God to be the Great Provider and Protector over Abraham and his family.

This morning, are you looking for something? Are you trying to fill emptiness inside you? Where are you looking? Where and with what are you trying to find completion in your life? Are you looking for refuge that ONLY GOD can provide? Are you wandering from place to place trying to find fulfillment? It isn't found in the things of the world. It isn't found in things the world offers and promises contentment. The world can only provide a false facsimile that will only leave you wanting more and never filling those holes of emptiness. May I say there is a city with foundations. It's builder and maker is God. There is a King Who truly can provide all of your needs and fill the emptiness inside. His name is Jesus. He stands with open arms saying, "Come unto me. I will give you rest."

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