40 Days of Faith: Day 13

Hebrews 11:14 – For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

There is nothing like going home. Home is a place of peace, comfort, rest, and family. As I write this, I am facing about 24 hours of travel as my plane will depart later this evening from Johannesburg, South Africa, for the United States. I don’t travel all that much, but I can tell you that I can understand what it is to long for home. I miss my bride, my kids, my puppies, and my bed.

As the people who are receiving the letter entitled “Hebrews” are enduring suffering and persecution, the author is continually pointing them to the great examples who have gone before them in order to encourage them. Before we proceed, let’s once again remember the call at the end of Hebrews 10 where he exhorts them not to shrink back. It says, “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls,” (Hebrews 10:39).

In this encouragement and exhortation, the author of Hebrews is once again asking his audience to look forward to their inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven. As the pressure comes and the difficulties arise, and the temptation to quit and walk away from the faith is placed before them, he is saying:

“Don’t shrink back! Look forward. Look up. Look at the saints who have gone before us and see their example. You can do it. You can keep walking with and following Jesus. He will never let you down.”

Within this core message to be people of faith, he is once again inviting them to live with their future home in mind. Having pastored a lot of international students and families, there seems to always be a theme to their message when they have been in Houston awhile. That message is, “I miss home.” They are thankful for their opportunities that being in the United States affords them. Yet, as you imagine, they miss their homeland.

Promise was my waitress during my visit to South Africa. She wanted to know more about what I was doing as I took a block of time that I had available to sit in her section and work on this project. I began to ask her about herself, and I asked her where she was from. That’s one of my favorite questions to ask, as it communicates to someone, “I am interested in knowing about you.”

Promise is from Zimbabwe. As we spoke, she spoke of the amazing beauty and the peacefulness in Zimbabwe. She then said, “But work is here, so I had to leave there to come support my family.” I asked her about the work opportunities in Zimbabwe, and she said that they don’t really exist and that most of the servers at this restaurant were from Zimbabwe doing the same thing she was doing.

Today, as you read this, stop and think about home. Think about the people, the sights, the sounds, the smells, and the comfort home brings to you. Thank God for home. Thank him for the people. Thank him for the rest it brings.

Now, take a moment to thank him for the eternal home He is preparing for you. Thank him for the promise of everlasting life. Thank him that you are a part of the bride of Christ and that as much as you love and appreciate your home here, you know that what awaits will be far greater.

Remember the words of our Lord in John 14:1-3:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Deep within every heart is a homesickness for a place we have not yet fully seen. Abraham longed for a homeland built by God, and believers through the centuries have endured hardship by keeping their eyes on the promise of heaven. I know what it feels like to be away from home and to long for the comfort of those I love—and that small taste reminds me of the greater home that awaits us in Christ. Faith means living as though that eternal reality is certain, even when it feels far away. Today, let us live with our bags packed, our eyes lifted, and our hearts anchored in the promise of our Father’s house. When life feels heavy, let’s remind ourselves: this world is not our home, and the best is yet to come.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for preparing a homeland that will never fade or fail. When I am tempted to grow comfortable in this world—or discouraged by its trials—lift my eyes to You. Teach me to live each day with eternity in view, longing more for Your presence than for anything this world can offer. Help me to lead my family and those I influence with a forward-looking faith, so that together we might joyfully enter the home You have prepared for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.