Hebrews 11:8 (ESV)
⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Paul once referred to Abraham as,” the father of all who believe…” It is obvious, therefore, that we should emulate his faith. Like Abel, Enoch, and Noah, Abraham proved his faith by his willingness to obey God. He was willing to “go out” from his homeland, and even from his family and friends, simply because God told him to do so. Abraham had no future with God where he was presently located. He was surrounded by idolaters (Joshua 24:2). So, even though he loved his family and was comfortable where he was, he had enough faith to leave that which was contrary to the will of God. Sometimes God calls us to go out too. There are things from which we must walk away if we are going to be faithful to God, and that might even include family and friends. Abraham had faith in God that was strong enough to put Him first, and to obey His call to leave his home, even though he did not know where he was going. Do we have a faith that strong? Who do you put first in your life—God or family and friends? Jesus once said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…”

A part of the Hebrews writer’s definition of faith is, “the evidence of things not seen.” That certainly was a part of Abraham’s faith. Throughout his life here on earth, he believed God concerning things not yet seen. He believed that God would give him a land that he had never seen. It was his inheritance; yet, it was an inheritance that he, according to the KJV, would receive “after.” In fact, he personally would never own the land, but would instead live in tents while dwelling in it (Hebrews 11:9; Genesis 12:8; 13:3; 18:1, 9). Nevertheless, he never stopped believing that the land would be his, at least from the standpoint that his descendants would ultimately possess it. Is that not a wonderful example of faith? Some would have given up on the promise once they got to the land and found that they would not immediately possess it. But true faith waits on the promises of God. What do you do when your prayers are not immediately answered or your physical needs are not immediately met by God? What do you do when it seems like something God has promised in His word is not coming to fruition? We know what Abraham did. He waited. That is what real faith does, knowing that God, on His own time schedule, will do everything that He says He will do, for God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18).

There is something else that Abraham believed even though he had never seen it. Hebrews 11:10 tells us what it is. “For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” The city that Abraham was looking forward to was, undoubtedly, heaven. How Abraham developed a hope for heaven we are not specifically told in scripture, but, as we have seen throughout this week, faith comes from hearing the word of God; thus, the hope for a future heavenly city must have come from God. This explains why Abraham was okay dwelling in tents here on earth. By faith, he knew there was something better awaiting him; something that was more permanent. He knew that he was just a pilgrim here are earth. We, too, are just pilgrims. If you have faith in the promises of God, you realize that no matter what happens in this world, it is only temporary. Whether you live in an extravagant house or lowly hut, it really does not matter because, like Abraham, you are looking forward to a city whose designer and builder is God. a city where there is no more pain or sorrow (Revelation 21:4), a city filled with profound beauty (Revelation 21:19-21), and most importantly, a city where there is no sin (Revelation 21:27). No, we have not seen the city before, or anything like it, but neither had Abraham, and we, like him, are walking by faith; thus, we are willing to wait.

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.