"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 whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."
Hebrews 11:13-16
This is part of the follow up to a verse that says "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (verse 6). I think that it is interesting, because these later verses seem to add a little bit of understanding to that first statement. It seems to be about believing that there is more than this life, earnestly desiring something better than this, connected to the idea that God exists and can help us find a better place.
Without that desire for something better, or that idea that it is possible, then we just stay where we are... no impetus to move or reach for something higher. I think what we are talking about here is another way of saying that we need hope... we need to want to believe that there is more, and have hope that the universe isn't a dark and bleak place... that the inequity and tragedy that we see around us can be made right, and that the happiness and goodness can be added upon. It's that belief in something higher and better than ourselves that gives us the motivation to find God, and to follow him, believing in his promises, and covenanting with him in return.
Today, let's "desire a better country" and seek the promised land and city and future that God has prepared for us. :)
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