37 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
37 lines
4.5 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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October 28
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<h1>More on Abraham's Patient, Heavenly Pilgrimage, by Faith</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>And truly if they had <b>called</b> to <b>mind</b> that <b>country</b> from which they had come <b>out</b>, they would have had <b>opportunity</b> to <b>return</b>. But now they desire a <b>better</b>, that is, a <b>heavenly</b> country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for <b>He</b> has <b>prepared</b> a <b>city</b> for them.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '15-16');">Hebrews 11:15-16</a>)</div>
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<p>Abraham (and his family) lived as <i>"<b>strangers</b> and <b>pilgrims</b> on the earth"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '13-13');">Hebrews 11:13</a>). He lived as an <b>obedient sojourner</b> here on earth, trusting God to lead him about as one who was in the world, but not of the world. He also lived as a patient, <b>heavenly pilgrim</b>, trusting God to lead him to the eternal homeland that awaits all who have saving faith in the Lord. We have a similar calling from the Lord. <i>"Beloved, I beg you as <b>sojourners</b> and <b>pilgrims</b>, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 2, '11-11');">1 Peter 2:11</a>).</p>
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<p>Abraham understood that spiritual sojourners and heaven-bound pilgrims must stay away from earth-bound cravings that undermine one's godly quest. <i>"And truly if they had <b>called</b> to <b>mind</b> that <b>country</b> from which they had come <b>out</b>, they would have had <b>opportunity</b> to <b>return</b>."</i> Abraham and his seed had many tests and trials in their pilgrimage with the Lord. If they had set their attention on the country they forsook, they would have been tempted to return there. The enemy of our souls wants to wage war against us by ensnaring us again in the world that we have forsaken: <i>"in which <b>you once walked</b> according to the course of <b>this world</b>, according to the <b>prince</b> of the <b>power</b> of the <b>air</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 2, '2-2');">Ephesians 2:2</a>). Everyone is vulnerable to such attack. Even one of Paul's early associates in ministry fell prey to this enticement. <i>"Demas has <b>forsaken</b> me, having <b>loved</b> this <b>present world</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti', 4, '10-10');">2 Timothy 4:10</a>). Thus, the Lord warns us to stay away from any indulgent relationship with the world. <i>"Do <b>not love</b> the <b>world</b> or the <b>things</b> in the <b>world</b>. If anyone <b>loves</b> the <b>world</b>, the <b>love</b> of the <b>Father</b> is <b>not</b> in him"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Jo', 2, '15-15');">1 John 2:15</a>).</p>
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<p>Instead, we are to desire the priorities of Abraham and his family. <i>"But now they desire a <b>better</b>, that is, a <b>heavenly</b> country."</i> Even though the land of promise was in their inheritance some day, they hungered for the realities of heaven above. Such heaven-focused faith is pleasing to our heavenly Father. <i>"Therefore <b>God</b> is <b>not ashamed</b> to be called <b>their God</b>, for <b>He</b> has <b>prepared</b> a <b>city</b> for them."</i> In this heavenly city (<i>"the <b>city</b> of the <b>living God</b></i>—<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 12, '22-22');">Hebrews 12:22</a>), we will dwell forever with our glorious Lord!</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God, the only true and living God, I regret those times that the world has drawn my attention away from my heavenly homeland. I cry out to You—please anchor my heart in heaven above, that I might thereby please You in my pilgrimage here on earth below, Amen.</div>
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