Hebrews 11:8-16 KJV
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 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.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 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 11:16 Amplified Bible
16 But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them.
Abraham, because of his tremendous faith, obeyed God and left his homeland to relocate in a foreign land. A foreign land that was promised to him and his descendants as an inheritance.
He didn’t know where he was going when the journey began. He was setting out by faith not knowing what awaited him or his family. Upon reaching the land promised to him, he lived in this new strange land with his family, including Isaac and Jacob who were also heirs of the same promise.
Abraham and his family accepted the promise of God and accepted this new land as their home. If they had been thinking that the country from which they departed, was their “real” home, they might have returned.
However, the scripture tells us they were longing for a better country.
These scriptures contain a dual message, not only pertaining to the earthly land granted to Abraham, but also a “heavenly country” that awaits God’s children.
Not only were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob looking forward to the literal promised land in which to make their earthly home, they were also looking beyond this life and “longing for a better country” their eternal home in heaven.
As we journey through this life, all Christians have certainly thought about the “better country” that awaits them when this life comes to an end.
We too realize where we came from, a life of sin and despair, that would only lead to eternal banishment from God, missing out on the heavenly country that awaits His children. There is no desire to return there.
Like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we don’t want to return to our previous state, but are longing for that better country which God has promised to us.
LET'S LOOK AT WHAT GOD's WORD TELLS US ABOUT THAT "BETTER COUNTRY"
Colossians 3:1-2 KJV
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Peter 1:3-4 KJV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
GOD'S PROMISE TO US
If we have accepted Christ as our Savior, repenting of our sins, we have a heavenly home awaiting us when we draw our last breath on this earth.
At the very moment of our last breath;
--We will have reached the “promised land.”
--We will be face to face with our Lord and Savior, in the presence of almighty God.
--We will see and hear things that we are unable to even imagine in this earthly life.
--This wonderful and “better country” will be our home for eternity.
Our “better country”, our home in heaven, will be an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and will last for all eternity. Forever.
Our “better country” awaits us.
RVH