Thank you for joining us as we have worked our way through the book of Revelation. As Pastor David continues to help us unpack the rest of the book, we are going to turn our attention in our daily devotions to the different themes found in John’s writing. For the next week, we’ll dive into themes in the book of Revelation and explore how they align with the rest of Scripture.
This week’s theme: The New Creation
Looking forward to the renewal of all things and dwelling eternally in God’s presence.
Day 5: Desiring a Heavenly Country
Read Hebrews 11:13-16
13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Read Revelation 22:14-15
14“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Hall of Faith in the Bible. It recounts the stories of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah. People who took God at His word and trusted Him even when they couldn’t or would never see the fruition of all God had promised. Life probably would have been easier for many of them had they relied on themselves. Living in faith came at a cost. And still they lived and moved in faith, believing that what God promised was better than anything in this world.
Some days I marvel at their faith and wonder how they stood so faithful, so sure that there was so much more than this broken life – and that a God who loved them promised they would see it and it would be their inheritance. At times, I get so focused on the here and now of my life that I lose sight of what God is doing and how He is working to make all things new. I can easily be distracted by all the things of this life – the good and the bad, and I forget that what God has planned is better than I could ever imagine. I wind up living for me instead.
I need the perspective that although my body might be on this earth for now, it is not my home. God has something far more lovely and complete in mind. His desire for me is to live in ways that honor what is to come… giving Him the glory for the good things, living a life of gratitude to Him, not shying away from sharing what He has done in my life, and standing in faith that He will do what He has promised.
Reflection: Do you live like a citizen of this world, or do your daily priorities show that you are looking for a heavenly city?
