Hebrews 11:13 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, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
During this time of national struggle, We can become focused on politics, on the economy, on how we should protect our families, on our retirement. All these things are not necessarily evil. They are a part of real life. But if we see beyond today and see beyond our local surroundings, and even see beyond the next election and look into eternity, we will see a hope that cannot fail. We will see an unfading promise. We will see our Savior and our God waiting to embrace us and live in complete bliss for eternity.
What is your focus?
The people listed in Hebrews chapter eleven have all long since died. Some were delivered from tragedy, and others suffered without relief. Some are very famous as God used them to protect and lead the nation of Israel; others were unknown and died poor. The one thing all these people had in common was their focus. In Hebrews 11:13, it speaks of a people still believing when they died. Their focus was beyond their time here on earth. There focus was a reward in heaven.
Where is your focus?
The American dream is to be comfortable and retire to enjoy life. God’s Word never promised easy times. Just because you became a Christian, it does not mean all things become easy and pleasant. The Bible talks more about overcoming troubles and counting it as joy when you go through trials. If your focus is based on something eternal, God will give you strength and grace to endure. The Hebrew verse states the people identified themselves as a foreigner and stranger on earth. Their focus and identity were on heavenly citizenship. Their kingdom was not of this earth. By faith, they saw and welcomed their promise from a distance.
Who is your focus?
(My hope is built on nothing less )Hymn by Edward Mote 1834
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Chorus
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace;
in ev’ry high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
Chorus
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found,
dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
Chorus
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
Listen to this great hymn and allow your lightnside to proudly shine on a focused promise that is in the future and welcomed from a distance.
Light-N-side 