Not Receiving the Promise -Hebrews 11:39-40

Now, that has got to be the weirdest title to a blog post in a blog that is supposed to be a blog full of promises...how could even this be a promise?

Hebrews 11 is a chapter that is full of examples of past "hero's of the faith". We hear of Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, to name a few. And in these accounts, we see how they followed God in faith...believing God's promises to be true.

And then in verse 39 we read this:

"And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,"

Wait a minute. What? They didn't get the reward that was promised to them?


Verse 40 clears it up when it says,

"God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us."

These "Hero's of the Faith" may not have gained their reward here on earth, but they certainly will...when God has gathered His bride (all Christians) in Him, then God will be faithful to fulfill His promise to all believers.

God doesn't lie.

Never Changing -Hebrews 13:8

Promises that God has made, He will keep; regardless if they were made in the New or Old Testament. How do we know this? Because God never changes.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

His Eye is on Us -Psalms 33:18-19

I know I just did a section from Psalms 33, but I wanted to share these verses, also from Psalms 33.

It's so easy as Christians to lose sight, to lose perspective. To be totally honest, I believe that this has been a constant battle for me lately. Maybe it has been for you too. It's so easy to get caught up in the here and now, and so easy to lose our sense of reality...what's really pure and good and honest and true.

These verses are a comfort to me because they remind me that even if I turn my eyes from being fixed on Jesus, that His eye is constantly on me.

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine."

 Look to Jesus, and hope in His mercy! His eye is on us...to deliver us!

I know this will be taking this verse out of context, but I really like verse 8 of Matthew 17 after Jesus was transfigured on the mount. The disciples see Jesus transfigured, and they see with Him Moses and Elijah. Then Peter, caught up in the moment, says to Jesus that they should "...make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

But then, a bright cloud covers them, and a voice comes out of the cloud saying, "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

The disciples, afraid, fall on their faces. But Jesus comes and touches them and says, "Arise, and do not be afraid." After that, verse 8 says,

"When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only."

My prayer is that we would see no one but Jesus.

That, as we "run with endurance the race that is set before us," we would be "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Never Leave Us -Hebrews 13:5-6

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

The one thought I wanted to point out is that when we sin, it's a form of covetousness. We're basically saying by our actions that God is "not enough." And this promise reminds us that God never leaves us, unlike sin which is only enjoyable "for a season."

In the end, God is faithful, and He will always be there.

A Better City -Hebrews 11:16

...and reality hits.

Everybody that disagreed strongly with Obama is right now in shock of the fact that he was reelected for 4 more years. And as the disappointment sets in for them, it's easy to get depressed and to have a sense of hopelessness.

Now real quick, I'm not saying that voting for Obama is "unchristian"...that would not be my place at all. That being said, I personally liked what my younger brother said. After seeing Obama won, he said, "Mom, can we move to England?"  ...lol :)

It's so easy as Christians to get wrapped up in the here in now.  We look at where we are, and we lose faith in the one who is in control.

I really like Hebrews 11...it's one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Seeing those who have gone before us and the faith that they had is very inspiring. Verse sixteen does a good job of giving us a heavenly mindset.

"But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

This verse is such a good reminder that we need to live with eternity in mind. God has promised to those who live "by faith" a much better country. When we become too invested in life on earth we lose sight what really matters....

...He's promised us a way better city!