Mountain Movers

All 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. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. (Hebrews 11:13-15)

The above passage gives us vivid insight into the lives of the heroes of faith. While we may speak of them in glorious terms, they honestly lived as aliens on earth. While they always remained full of faith and hope, they didn't receive the things promised. What motivated them? Let's look into this further.

First of all, the examples we've looked at so far lived faithful lives to the very end. Perseverance and faith work together. In fact, to be faithful, it is essential to 'keep on keeping on' through adversity. In Revelation 2:10, it says "Be faithful, even to the point of death." Satan will never tire or slow down in his pursuit of the faithful. Also, in verse 13, it says that "they did not receive the things promised." God had promises in store for their descendants.

Abraham knew that it was his ancestors that would reap the benefits of his faith. And that was totally fine with him because he had a selfless heart. Concerning the promises of God, the faithful only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. They had a glimpse of what God had to offer them. It was as if they had the winning lottery ticket but were not able to cash it in-- they welcomed God's promises from a distance. They had an unconditional love for God. They had full satisfaction of what God had done in their lives.

How would we react if God had made promises to us because we had lived faithful lives-- and then we find out the promises are for someone else. Would we be discouraged? Would we feel that God wasn't blessing us? Or would we welcome God's decision? We live in a society that wants to see instant results. It's easy for me to treat God as a Cosmic bellhop in my prayer life. If I don't see the promises instantly fulfilled in my life, I often fall in to questioning God. Unlike me, Abraham, Sarah, Noah, and Enoch were fully secure in God's ultimate plan. They knew, as we are told in the Bible, that the final promise is reserved for us in heaven.

These faithful admitted they were strangers on earth. Anyone who is a stranger is more comfortable in another location. Furthermore, strangers don't easily fit into their surroundings. They stand out. Certainly, Noah fit this description. He didn't conform to those around him. In a sense, it would have been much easier for him to hang out with those around him. Physically, he could have taken it easy and relaxed rather than haul all that lumber on those hot summer days. Yet, he would have betrayed his conscience, and ultimately God, and would have suffered the eternal consequences for temporary relief. In the end, of course, he was overjoyed that he kept his covenant with God.

The faithful also admitted being aliens on earth. Generally speaking, aliens don't get equal treatment with natural citizens. They don't have the same rights and privileges. Consequently, they have less sense of security.

The faithful knew the sacrifices they made to be devoted to God. Because of the decisions they made, they didn't have the same earthly rights and privileges as those around them. Without God, they would surely have been insecure in these circumstances. However, their security was in God and that was all that mattered.

The faithful were also looking for a country of their own. They were spiritual trailblazers confident of reaching their divine destination. While they were fully aware of the here and now situation they were in, their spiritual eyes were continually looking forward. Their attitude is aptly displayed in verse 15, which says that if they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. There was always opportunity for them to return. However, their faith directed them forward to God's Country.

Anyone who has made the decision to be a Christian is faced with the challenges that these heroes of faith experienced. In Hebrews 12:2ff, it says: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Satan always gives us plenty of opportunities to look back and get distracted from our mission with God. With Satan, we don't have to persevere in righteousness. He provides comfortability in lukewarmness. What makes all the difference in the world is fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Another similar verse is found in Romans 12:1 which talks about viewing God's mercy. If our eyes are only on Jesus a few minutes here and there, we won't last. We need to have them fixed on Jesus. Considering what Jesus did on the cross helps us not to grow weary and lose heart.

It is possible to persevere and not have the right heart. The Ephesians in Revelation 2 endured but lost their hearts along the way. God wants us to faithfully endure while loving Him first and foremost. The faithful in Hebrews 11 never looked back. They withstood the tests and trials that came their way as God perfected their faith. Now, they have all of their promises fulfilled as they have joined with Jesus near the throne of God in heaven.

In the next chapter, we will look at what makes God excited and what He has prepared for those who are faithful.