Posted on 11/17/2023 5:29:03 AM PST by metmom
"By faith [Abraham] lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Heb. 11:9-10). Focusing on Heaven is the best way to endure difficulties on earth.
Following God's call isn't always easy. He expects us to trust Him explicitly, yet doesn't ask our advice on decisions that may impact us dramatically. He doesn't tell us His specific plans at any given point in our lives. He doesn't always shelter us from adversity. He tests our faith to produce endurance and spiritual maturity—tests that are sometimes painful. He makes some promises that we'll never see fulfilled in this life.
If following God's call is a challenge for us, imagine how it was for Abraham, who had no Bible, no pastor, no sermons, no commentaries, and no Christian encouragement or accountability. But what he did have was the promise of a nation, a land, and a blessing (Gen. 12:1-3). That was good enough for him.
Abraham never settled in the land of promise. Neither did his son Isaac or grandson Jacob. They were aliens, dwelling in tents like nomads. Abraham never built houses or cities. The only way he would possess the land was by faith. Yet Abraham patiently waited for God's promises to be fulfilled.
As important as the earthly land was to him, Abraham was patient because his sight was on his heavenly home, "the city . . . whose architect and builder is God" (Heb. 11:10). He knew beyond any doubt that he would inherit that city, whether or not he ever saw his earthly home in his lifetime.
Similarly, being heavenly minded gives you the patience to continue working for the Lord when things get tough. It's the best cure I know for discouragement or spiritual fatigue. That's why Paul says to set your mind "on the things above, not on the things that are on earth" (Col. 3:2). If your mind is set on heaven, you can endure whatever happens here.
Suggestions for Prayer
Praise God for your heavenly home.
Seek His grace to help you keep a proper perspective amid the difficulties of this life.
For Further Study
Read the portion of Abraham's life recorded in Genesis 12-17.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Fearless preacher of God’s word. The world needs more men like him🙏
AMEN.
I love the way he stood up to the tyrant Newsome in the midst of the Covid lockdowns.
The Covid lock down was/is a defining moment in this ‘Christian’ nation. I can’t imagine a more necessary event needing God’s Word to combat the Fear surrounding the pestilence.
Years ago being a young Christian, I read the New Testament. But until I read the Book of Genesis I had little understanding of the roots of Christianity.
Some would say, Genesis has nothing to offer the Christian Faith. I wholeheartedly disagree. Until one understands the plan of God starting with Genesis, one does not fully comprehend the hidden Grace which was revealed at Calvery and expounded upon when Paul (The Apostle unto the Gentiles) revealed that mystery which was given to him by the Lord, and then revealed to the church.
Reading Genesis, gives a deeper understanding of typology. Such as Abraham exercising his Faith when tested. He passed that test by willing to offer up his son Isaac as a type of the Father sending His only Begotten Son to be WILLINGLY offered up as the One True Sacrifice to reconcile the relationship between fallen man and the Eternal Life we are offered through Grace.
The story of Grace does not begin in Matthew, but in a distant history.
1 Peter 1:18-20
King James Version
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Thank you for your posts Sister. I truly appreciate them.
One of the things I love about John McArthur is his ability to not only dissect a passage for its linguistic and historical context, but he has an uncanny ability to put himself in the people’s shoes in the narrative and describe their experiences. This makes his teaching very effective. Thanks for continuing to share these.
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