“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)
Hebrews 11 – The Hall of Faith (as it is commonly called). This is one of the chapters of the Bible I would take if I could only have one. There is Genesis 1, Psalm 119, Romans 8, Hebrews 11, and Revelation 22. Those are the ones from which I would pick, given that choice.
In this particular set of verses, the author of Hebrews speaks to us of those who still believed even though they never got to see their promises fulfilled. But they held those promises close to their hearts (much like Jesus’ mother, Mary, kept the words of the angel in her heart and pondered them) right up until they passed from this earth. While it makes my flesh sad that they never got to see those promises come to pass, I am equally joyous that they received even greater Promise as they entered into Paradise with the One Who gave them those promises to begin with!
The part I want to consider today, however, is the statement that “...God is not ashamed to be called their God:” As I mentioned before, I look back over my life and realize just how much shame I brought on the Name of Jesus by the lifestyle I was living. Thank God He has forgiven me and He chooses not to remember – but I still wrestle with it from time to time. But how awesome to think that if we walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us, receive and cling to the Word of God (including His specially-revealed Rhema words to us), and continue pressing toward the mark of the high calling which is in Christ – God will not be ashamed to be called our God!
There are so many scriptures throughout the Old and New Testaments that tell of God watching over us, looking to bless us, rejoicing over us with dancing, etc, etc! It totally unravels my mind to think that the One Who created all things, Who created you and me, Who keeps this whole creation going by His Word, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob loves me! Hallelujah!
I can’t help but think of those beautiful words penned in 1905 by Civilla D. Martin and Charles H. Gabriel: “Why should I feel downhearted? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel homesick and long for heaven and home…” As Jesus told His followers, “Not a bird falls from the sky but what your Father in heaven sees it. Are you not worth many birds?”
Today it brings me joy to know that God is not ashamed – that would make Him pleased, bold, confident, and unapologetic – to be called my God and I His son. I don’t know about you, but I needed to hear this today with all the junk going on around us. Look up to your heavenly Father, lift your arms like a child, and allow Him to pick you up, and wrap His loving arms around you today. Hear Him boldly declare to the angels and forces in heavenly places, “This is my son (or daughter) in whom I am well pleased.” Let that soak into your spirit today as you go about your business.
Be blessed.
(24 SEP 2024)
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