Scripture to Read: Genesis 12:1-9
In Genesis 12:1-9, we have seen God appear and have heard him speak to Abram. The LORD has promised to Abram offspring and a land this offspring would inherit. As we see now and will recognize in the coming chapters in Genesis, these promises do not find their fulfillment immediately. Does that mean God would not be faithful to His promises? Not at all! Likewise, we find later in the Bible that Abram’s hope was not set merely on a physical land that his offspring would live. He didn’t ultimately despair when his time on earth came without being in the land of promise. Why? Because Abram had his eyes looking forward to something greater. Hebrews 11:10 states this, “For he [Abram] was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” Abram’s hope did not rest in this earth. Therefore, by faith Abram trusted the LORD to fulfill His promise while knowing His promise would extend beyond this life. He was looking forward to a heavenly city and the purpose of it all was a relationship with God (Hebrews 11:16). Abram is commended in Hebrews 11 because the faith He showed was a faith that God revealed to him, that His ultimate promise would extend beyond this life. We find this in the gospel. Our problem is not merely physical but spiritual. We are sinners who deserve hell. God in His grace has sent Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah so that we could receive eternal life by faith in Him and dwell with Him in eternity in a heavenly city. The question to ask yourself is, “Do you know where you will dwell?”
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about where we should set our hopes?
2. How are you living with eternity in mind?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!