LESSON: The Faith Chapter

A Heavenly Home

   ¹³All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. ¹⁴People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV

I normally visit my parents at least once a month. My family consists of my dad, mom, my younger sister and myself. We have our differences, but we are blessed to be a close-knit family. I always look forward to going home and seeing all the things from my childhood (dolls, stuffed animals, yearbooks, old high sweats, posters, etc). Also there something about sleeping in the bed that you slept on every since you were a little girl that humbles you in a certain way.

As I was reading this passage of scripture, I started to think about another home. This home is not man-made. In Revelations this place is described as having pearly white gates and streets of gold. When you arrive at home in this place, there are no tears, no pain, no arguments, no disappointments, etc. As a matter a fact in this place you meet a whole new family. I will see grandma again and finally get to meet that bald-head guy (my granddad) that my Mom talks about so much. I will also meet people whose testimonies I have read or heard .... Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David, Peter, John , Mary, Paul and the lists goes on.

What I look forward to the most is seeing Jesus. Words could not describe the joy of seeing a man who died a horrible death so that you and I would be able to enter this "heavenly home." It says in verse 16, "they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one." Despite the many trials and temptations we go through during our journey in this "strange place" called earth, we have a heavenly home to look forward too!

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV

Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 25:21a NIV

Want to go back?

About the Author

For permission to reprint any parts of this study in a publication, please contact Tyora Moody at editor@faithwebbin.net or visit her personal Web site, CookieAisle.com.