Better Country

Instead, 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 11:16

Your home on earth is a temporary stop; this is not your real home.  Material and earthly possessions should be looked at as temporary and for a season and believers should remember that God is building them a permanent home in heaven where eternal rewards will have much more value than anything down here.  The things of this world were not of importance to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Their faith and obedience in God and what His plan, promises and eternal future looked like to them was more important.  They wanted a relationship and friendship with God and they cherished that and hoped for something that was way better than earthly things.  Wanting to please God and honor Him above all else pleased God, and He honored them as they honored Him.  God saw that the patriarchs put Him and their faith above all, even worldly possessions and comfort.  They lived, breathed and communicated with Him continually knowing that He was their sustainer above all else.  A life lived with an eternal perspective over the here and now is pleasing to God.  He will never leave you and will always hear you.  When you put the eternal perspective ahead of earthly pursuits, God takes notice.  Every time we live in faith and by faith, God is pleased.  Trusting in God for His faithfulness and His provision even when you may not see His promises fulfilled while you are here on earth is a faith that God honors here and in heaven.  The faith that presses on during difficulties, heartache and loss will pass on long after you have passed away.  Your living and dying in faith during your lifetime here in your temporary home will be honored and rewarded.  Let us keep our faith and eyes set on our eternal home and keep our eternal perspective at the forefront of our minds and lives so that we can honor and please God. ~ Amen