Today's Verse: Hebrews 11:16

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

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.
— Hebrews 11:16
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Hebrews 11:1-40 is full of reminders of the great heroes of faith from long ago. Many of them risked everything. Others even paid the ultimate price with their lives rather than betraying their faith. How did they live with such a strong faith in the face of such hostility and persecution? They were looking for a better place, a better home, a better country, a better city - a heavenly one. God prepared this better place for them. He is proud to be called their God and promised to welcome them to that better place and an enduring city to be their home with him. And this better place is also promised to us as people of faith today! Jesus promised us that he is preparing for our arrival at our heavenly home, and he will come back and take us to be where he is (John 14:1-4). If the Lord longs for us to join him in this glorious place, we can surely have a deep longing to be with him and live for him in this world. Let's desire our heavenly country and look forward to meeting our Father in the place he has prepared for us!

My Prayer...

Dear Father, thank you for all you have done to save me. Thank you for not being ashamed of me. Thank you for preparing for my arrival at home with you. With so much to anticipate, may I live a victorious life because I am confident in your grace, have faith that I have been forgiven because of Jesus' sacrifice, and am empowered to be holy by your Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I live and offer you this prayer. Amen.

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10 Related Resources by Heartlight

A City Prepared
Illustration of Hebrews 11:16
Inspirational illustration of Hebrews 11:16 -- 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.
Searching for A Home
Article by Tom Norvell
What are you searching for? Our true home is in heaven, it is our homeland to which we are journeying.
Accent
Article by Tim Archer
Where are you from? They had a heavenly accent. They spoke in such a way that everybody knew they were on a journey, one that would end in heaven. They knew, as the old hymn says, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through." They were on their way to the city God
Change is Constant
Article by Rubel Shelly
How can change be a constant that ties us to the past and gives us hope for the future? Change is a constant so how we deal with it is crucial and is part of our heritage as God's people.
See All 10 Related Resources about Hebrews 11:16

Illustration

Illustration of Hebrews 11:16 — 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.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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