Summary retelling of Hebrews 11:15-16
Had
the patriarchs – especially Abraham – considered the land where they were born
as their homeland, they could have easily returned. But they didn’t. Instead, they desired to live in a better
place where God directed them. Because
they followed God so willingly, God is not ashamed to be called their God as He
prepared a place for them.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
I’ve
never really thought about the fact that Abraham could have returned. He didn’t return home, but I’ve not often
thought that he could have. But
certainly he could have returned home.
I’m sure he would have been welcomed like the Prodigal Son had he wanted
to come back home. But he didn’t. Staying connected with God’s plan for his
life was more important than staying connected to his family’s desires for his
life.
Why
is it meaningful to realize that Abraham could have returned home but
didn’t? How impressive is it that
Abraham went to a foreign country and stayed there because he was following
God?
Second Thought:
The
source of strength for Abraham was his relationship with God. Abraham valued nothing more than what God was
doing in his life. Abraham valued
nothing more than paying attention to God and following Him. Abraham was a man of faith before anything
else.
Do
you value the things of God more than anything else? What things in your life occasionally seem
more important than obedience to God?
Third Thought:
God
is not ashamed to be the God of the patriarchs.
That is an interesting thought in itself. God is not ashamed to be their God because He
knows they are following Him. Even when
they make mistakes and are not perfect, He is not ashamed to be their God
because of their faith.
Do
you ever wonder if God is ashamed to be your God? What about western Christianity? Are there dynamics in Western Christianity of
which God might be ashamed? What does
this line of thinking have to do with our need and desire to be faithful?
Passage for
Tomorrow: Hebrews 11:17-19
No comments:
Post a Comment