Hebrews 11 (3)

Introduction
The ultimate objective of faith is to enable us to pass through this life, with all its trials and tribulations, and arrive safely in the City to Come, which Christ is preparing for us even now (Psalm 84). But we need to believe that this coming city is a better city than the one we inhabit here, and that it offers better promises than anything in this world. Even Joseph, who had a pretty good life in the here-and-now city of Egypt, longed for the promised land he knew would some day be the possession of all God’s faithful people. We should learn from the patriarchs to keep our focus on the things that are to come.

Read Genesis 50.22-26.

Read Hebrews 11.13-22.

Think it through.
1.  What’s the difference between havingthe promises of God and being assured of the promises (v. 13)? Why do we commend the faith of the patriarchs, because they had the promises or because they were assured of them? The ultimate promise is described in our text as “a homeland” and a “heavenly country” and a “city” yet to come. To what do these refer? What makes this City to Come so special? The patriarchs saw this city “afar off.” What do you “see” when you think of this coming city? Do you think we should work a little harder at being able to see the coming city? Explain. What does it mean to be “strangers and pilgrims” in this life?

2.  The writer mentions four patriarchs who, because they kept their eyes on the City to Come, were able to hold fast their confession and obey God, even when the demands were difficult. What was the evidence each of these produced – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph – to show that they were focusing on unseen and hoped-for things? What lessons of faith should we learn from their example? 

Meditate.
“For of what kind are those good things likely to be, of which God is the preparer and establisher? For if immediately after God had made us, when we had not yet done anything, God freely bestowed so great favors—paradise, familiar intercourse with God’s own self, immortality, a life happy and free from cares—what will God not bestow on those who have labored and struggled so greatly and endured on God’s behalf? For us God did not spare God’s only begotten. For us when we were enemies God gave up God’s own son to death. Of what will God not count us worthy, having become God’s friends? What will God not impart to us, having reconciled us to God’s own self?” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2.9, 10

Your way, O Lord, is to lead us in life by precious and very great promises, even promises of things unseen. Help me to see these “from afar” so that I…

Pray Psalm 91.1-13.
As you pray, be sure to mention with gratitude the various unseen things mentioned in this psalm. 

Psalm 91.1-13 (Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven)
All who dwell within God’s shelter in His shadow will reside. 
He our Tow’r, our Fortress ever, in Him we our trust confide. 
From the trapper’s snares He saves us; safe from sickness we abide.

He will shade us with His pinions, ‘neath His wings we safety find. 
From night’s terror, from day’s arrow, from the fears that stalk our mind. 
When destruction falls at noon time, safe in Him shall we abide.

Thousands at our sides may falter – it will not to us come near!
We instead shall see the end of all who at God’s mercy sneer.
Evil shall no more befall us for we hold the Lord most dear. 

He shall give His angels charge to bear us up, lest we should fall; 
They will guard and carry all who on the Savior’s mercy call. 
Cobra, mighty lion, serpent: We shall tread upon them all!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.