Faith that Longs for a Better Country

English Standard Version Chapter 11

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. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Introduction

Each year as a child I looked forward to our annual trek to the beautiful sand dunes of Silver Lake. Every reminder that the school year was coming to an end was like hearing the call of the promised land. But as school ended in late May, this promised land was still two months away. Those two months seemed like two years. I spent many dusty days in the hot summer sun mowing lawns as a way of earning money for the trip and planning what I might spend it on. As the trip drew closer we agonized to round up all the clothes and books we wanted to pack, figure out what we would need in the car and what could be tied to the roof of the station wagon. The night before was always a late one as I helped my dad pack the car and secure the car top carrier to the roof rack, making sure that everything going on top was secure in a plastic bag just in case it rained (which it always did) and the carrier leaked (which it always did).

When the day to depart arrived I was bursting with excitement. But that always seemed to cool several hours into the trip after hearing the answer to my question, “how much longer?” was not in hours but days. It took nearly two full days to get from our house to the lake – two full days in a crowded station wagon before the days of cell phones, video games and car televisions. The afternoon of the first day was always the most difficult as the weariness of the journey overshadowed the prospects of arrival. It was in these weary moments when we all questioned the sanity of such a far away vacation spot, “was it really worth all of this?”

The Christian journey is much like that. When we first hear about the great promises of the gospel – life fulfilled in a land of promise – we can’t help but be excited about it. But then the journey begins and we find it filled with suffering along the way. We get to points in life when we wonder if we’ve done something wrong. We ask, “why, God, why?” Is the Christian life really worth it? The struggles and pain in life don’t seem to line up with the promise of peace and a prosperous life that come with believing in God.

The problem isn’t that the Christian life doesn’t deliver on its promises, it’s that we’re confused about the timing of these promises – and the value of the reality to come. The recipients of Hebrews were in this boat. They were looking at a life filled with potential suffering. To become a follower of Jesus could potentially mean losing your job, or your home. It could mean going to prison or worse – being put to death. The future for Christians today is no different – uncertain. Christians are already targets. Even aside from that, the economy is hit hard. Many are out of work and don’t know what the future holds. We aren’t given particular answers as to why God would allow such difficulties to happen to his people. Part of the problem stems from a false gospel that leads us to believe that Christianity is about having the good life now. That is to miss the point.

God is faithful to his promises. History shows us that time and again. Thus our calling in the midst of suffering is to persevere in faith.

The writer of Hebrews highlights this faith by looking back at Abraham. His was a persevering faith that involved leaving without knowing where, living as a foreigner in the Promised Land, laughing at the faithfulness of God, and longing for a better country. Leaving, living, laughing, and longing.

Abraham is an important person in the Old Testament. He is the forefather of Israel, and consequently, the forefather of all who believe in Jesus. He lived in an ancient world called Sumeria, one of the oldest known civilizations, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern day Iraq. It was a burgeoning society, developing new ways of irrigation, making technological advancements (with the invention of the wheel), and recording laws and history with the invention of cuneiform writing. It was out of this culture that God told Abraham to pack up and leave. And he did, the text says, “not knowing where he was going.”

Leaving would have been no small thing to do, especially when it is forever. Abraham would not return to this land. He left everything that was familiar and comfortable. He left all of his lifelong friends and community in which he had invested his past 75 years. Yes, Abraham was an old man when he left – perhaps not as old as a 75 year old might appear today as lifespans were longer in those days, but nonetheless an old man. Leaving would have been difficult. And the writer of Hebrews points out that he didn’t know where he was going. It was a dangerous road ahead, for all he knew. Would he find pastureland for his herds? Would he find water for he and his family? All of these questions were unknown. When I left for Nigeria in 2008, I had no idea where I was really going. I had heard stories but it was so far removed from my cultural experience, everything felt threatening. Everything was unknown. This was Abraham’s calling.

So why would Abraham do such a crazy thing? The answer is because of a promise. Abraham had heard from God who gave him a promise – a promise to receive an inheritance. What Abraham did is the calling of every Christian. You are called to leave the familiar and comfortable way of looking at the world, to leave the values shaped by culture, to set aside your trust in a bank account and your talents and go on the journey of the Christian faith, without knowing where it might take you. This is so hard for us to do. I am convinced that so many people who think of themselves as Christians are people that heard the call but never left. Does your life look any different than those around you? Are your values the same? Are you chasing after what our culture says you must chase after – popularity in the “in” crowd, a promising career, a big house, a prestigious education – because this is what holds out the most promise? Abraham left. So must you.

You are called to go without knowing what the future might hold – even though your problems may not disappear, and even though your future might be filled with suffering. You may not know what the future holds, but you know the one who holds the future. Knowing God enables you to leave what is comfortable.

Part of the problem is that we want to know where we’re going before we sign up. We want to know if it’s more like Haiti or Hawaii. If it’s like Hawaii then I’m all in. But if it’s Haiti, well, I might just want to stay where I am. So many Christians have been painted a picture of perfection by well-intentioned, but misguided people who have told them that if you become a Christian, all of your problems will disappear. If you believe hard enough, then life will be easy and you will prosper.

But that misunderstands the Promised Land. Abraham did not know where he was going specifically, but he knew that wherever it was, it was a land that God was going to give him. We read in verse 9,

English Standard Version Chapter 11

9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

Even when he got there and God showed him the extent of it, he lived nonetheless as a foreigner. This is a fascinating point. The health and wealth gospel – the one that promises that if you become a Christian and have enough faith that your life will be prosperous – forgets this point. Abraham went to the land promised to him, but he lived there as a foreigner. It wasn’t his yet. In fact, he often feared for his life in that land. He had to go to war in that land. It wasn’t easy. He lived in a tent his whole life in that land for crying out loud!

Isn’t Christianity supposed to be a better life? Isn’t it supposed to bring prosperity and peace? Isn’t it supposed to solve all my problems? The answer is a resounding yes! But here’s the key – not yet. Abraham lived in the time between God’s promise and God’s fulfillment. He lived as a foreigner in his own land. The Christian is to live in a similar manner. The Christian lives between the time of God’s promise and God’s fulfillment. God has indeed promised great things – He has promised a place where every tear will be wiped away by God himself. He has promised a place with beautifully adorned cities, where streets are paved with gold, where the fruit brings healing and where there are no enemies. Not only has he promised great things but he has also promised that these great things will be right here, on this earth. But here’s the key – not yet. These things are part of the new heavens and the new earth – this earth redeemed and made new. Paul writes in ,

English Standard Version Chapter 8

19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.[1]

The promise of prosperity is real, but not yet. Now we must live as foreigners in this world.

That seems like an impossibility, I know. Rather than things getting better it looks like things are getting worse. It doesn’t look like the Promised Land is moving closer to reality. False religions are growing. Atheism advocates have broken onto the NYT Bestseller list. Christianity is increasingly marginalized in the Western world. Religious liberty is under threat even as we speak. Abortion is rampant and held out as the standard for women’s rights. Marriage is under attack as a union between man and woman. Divorce continues its march even while fewer people are getting married. Things do not look good for God.

This is exactly where we find Sarah. Verses 11-12 read,

English Standard Version Chapter 11

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Things didn’t look good for Abraham and Sarah either. God had promised to make their descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky when they had no children. Twelve years had past since God had made the promise and still no children. Abraham and Sarah were both old when the promise was first made. Now they were too old to have children. Perhaps they should try a different approach. Sarah gave Hagar, her maidservant, to Abraham so that she might have children through her. A son was born. But this only brought conflict between Sarah and Hagar to the point where Hagar and her son were driven away. Things seemed hopeless. But messengers show up at Abraham’s tent and tell Abraham that he is going to have a son and he will be born by Sarah. Sarah overhears and laughs at the improbability. Nonetheless, a year later a son was born, 25 years since the initial promise. Sarah was 99 and Abraham 100 when Isaac was born. Practically speaking, this was an impossibility. And yet, God made it happen.

Isn’t this the way it is with God’s faithfulness? Out of what seems improbable, even impossible, God delivers. Knowing God means you can laugh in the face of what seems impossible. When you feel that all hope is lost and you’ve reached the end of yourself, remember, God delivers on His promises.

But that deliverance isn’t always what we expect. The kicker comes in verse 13,

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised,

English Standard Version Chapter 11

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised,

These all died without yet having received the things promised. The land promised to Abraham wasn’t given until more than 400 years passed. Abraham died in that time. So did Isaac, his son, Jacob, his grandson, and many more generations that became enslaved by the Egyptians. Unless Jesus comes back soon you too will die without having received the full extent of God’s promises.

Saving faith doesn’t live for the promise of prosperity during this lifetime. So many people get angry at God because he doesn’t seem to be delivering them from their difficulties. But that isn’t the picture we see in Scripture. Let’s keep reading.

English Standard Version Chapter 11

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

To look for your best life now in this lifetime would be looking at the wrong land. It would be thinking of that land from which God has called you out of.

What is the Christian’s hope? It is for a better country. The land that God would deliver would be a land purged of people whose sin was full. In other words, the promises of God are greater than just a better life now. They are a land made new, with sin itself judged and removed – not just by removing others whose sin is great, but removing your own sin also. It will be swept away in God’s judgment. That’s what happened when the Israelites returned to the Promised Land. They came bringing God’s judgment on a people that did not know God. They longed for this future and lived in the present in light of the future. You also are called to live in the present in light of the future that God has in store for you. It is that future hope that brings us through the struggles we face now and the trials that we’ll face in the future.

The question for you this morning is this: Do you really desire a better country? Does your heart belong to God or does it belong to a better life in this world?

English Standard Version Chapter 11

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

For those of you who desire a better country, who have a heart that truly belongs to God, God is preparing you a city. He is preparing a city free from sin and guilt and shame. He is preparing a city of great prosperity because it is a city in which God himself dwells. God becomes our very great reward.

How does God remove the sin from his city? One, he delivers over to death those whose hearts are not his. Joshua led the people into the promised land as a conquering general. Joshua’s name in Greek is Jesus. This will be Jesus’ role for us when he returns and the judgment comes. Jesus will bring judgment for those who do not know him. Or two, he delivers a substitute over to death for those whose hearts are his. Israel knew this through the sacrificial system. To dwell in God’s presence, as they did in a way, they had to be holy. Their sin had to be removed. There was no better picture of that removal than the day of atonement – one day a year in which two goats were taken. One was killed as a substitute for the people as their sin deserved death. The other goat was brought before the priest who would lay his hand on its head and confess the sin of the people. This goat would then be driven outside the camp of God’s people into the wilderness, into the abyss of God’s judgment. It was a picture not only of justice (death penalty paid for sin) but of sin’s actual removal.

The land you must look forward to and long for is a land that can only be entered by those whose sin has been paid for and removed. Those goats pointed us to the work of Christ who would not only die in our place, but remove our sin as far as the east is from the west. We live now in between the promise of that for us and the fulfillment of that in us. Until it is accomplished, we must live as foreigners in the land of promise.

What does your faith look like this morning? Does your faith in Christ move you to leave the comforts and familiarity of this world for the sake of God’s promise? Does your faith in Christ move you to live in this land as a foreigner, living for the day the Lord returns and makes it new? Does your faith in Christ move you to laugh at the trials of this life because you know the faithfulness of God will always prevail? Does your faith in Christ move you to long for a better country, a heavenly one, a city prepared for you in which all sin and the affects of sin has been removed?

By the second day of our long road trip to Silver Lake, hope came as slowly increasing waves. Getting the car repacked and onto the highway seemed like a giant step closer to arriving. As the excitement of departure waned, it was renewed again each time we crossed a state line. Each crossing was a visible sign of progress. By the time we turned off the last highway and there were only 10 miles to go, we sat up tall on the edge of our seats (nobody used seatbelts back then) and our eyes were glued to the road ahead as we knew that around one of the coming turns we would finally see it. When we finally arrived, our question was always resoundingly answered, YES! It was all worth it.

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Faith that Longs for a Better Country

Introduction

I. Leaving without knowing where (8)

II. Living as foreigners in the Promised Land (9-10)

III. Laughing at the faithfulness of God (11-12)

IV. Longing for a better country (13-16)

Conclusion