A Better, Heavenly Country
Good, Better, Best
Each election cycle, politicians spend hundreds of millions of dollars and promise to make our country better. But what will be better? It depends on your point of view. Regardless of who gets elected, one side will claim things are better, while the other says they’re worse.
I see claims in advertisements and on packages using comparisons. Claims like, “25% more effective!” My question is, more effective than what? These comparisons are intentionally vague. Kind of like the promises of politicians.
Too often, people settle for what seems better, but isn’t quite good enough. Better is a comparative term. Better than what? It depends on what the comparison is between good, better, and best.
Many people accept the status quo and mediocrity because it's familiar and they're reluctant to risk losing it for the possibility of gaining something better.
We won’t risk losing what we have unless our hope for something better is stronger than our fear of loss. Genuine faith—trust in God—enables us to see beyond the status quo. By faith, we seek what God promises, which is better—much, much better. In fact, God’s promises are the best.
Scripture Text
Faith enabled Abraham to become a father, even though he was old and Sarah had never been able to have children. Abraham trusted that God would keep his promise. Abraham was as good as dead. Yet, from this man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore.
All these people died having faith. They didn’t receive the things that God had promised them, but they saw these things coming in the distant future and rejoiced. They acknowledged that they were living as strangers with no permanent home on earth. [vss 11-13]
Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for their own country. If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they could have found a way to go back. Instead, these men were longing for a better country—a heavenly country. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God. He has prepared a city for them. [vss 14-16]
(Hebrews 11:11-16 GW) [Context– Hebrews 11]
Key Phrase
These men were longing for a better country—a heavenly country.
Dig Deeper Into the Text
What are we told about Abraham and his faith?
How did the reality of his life seem to contradict God's promise to Abraham?
What was the promise God made to Abraham, and did it come to pass?
What seems to be a contradictory statement made about Abraham and others regarding their faith?
What is the testimony of Abraham and Noah's faith according to these verses?
Things to Consider
In America, we are free to complain about our country and have the freedom to bring about a change in it. But as believers, we have a better country to look forward to than any nation on this earth. This is what is meant by, “These men were longing for a better country—a heavenly country.”
Are you longing for a better life on earth or a better country in this world? As Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, "Wherever your heart is—what it longs for—is where your treasure is."
Faith isn't wishful thinking, like hoping to win the lottery. Faith is confidence in God and all His promises (see Hebrews 11:6). It is a hope based on our relationship with God that remains even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises.
After enduring a tragic fire while serving overseas, many people (including Christian believers) expected us to move back to the US. But the Lord confirmed the promise He gave to us before the fire. Many even saw our move overseas as a questionable, even foolish risk.
Trusting in God and His promises is not a risk. Not in the way most people define risk. Faith, like that of Abraham and Noah, sees beyond the empty promises of this world. Genuine faith enables us to move forward when others turn back.
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life
If these men didn't receive all that God promised, how and why did they continue to trust God?
In what way is this "better country" a fulfillment of what God promised to Abraham?
How are Abraham and Noah's life testimonies of faith relevant to us today?
Do you have assurance in your heart of a "heavenly country"?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
