Pioneers or Settlers?

Praise: The only God. "God I praise you because you are the Lord, and there is no other; apart from [You] there is no God." (Isaiah 45:5)

Scripture: In many of us there is a deep desire to 'settle', to find and make our home so as to enjoy life. In the reading from Hebrews, the writer commends those who lived the life of faith, looking for God to deliver, provide, heal, etc. and yet never seeing the promise fulfilled. In fact, the way their lives turned out they might almost be excused for wondering if God was even there, never mind working on their behalf. "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." (Heb 11:13)

Though called to seek the Kingdom of God upon the earth, to make a difference wherever God has put us and to have the opportunity to reveal Christ by our love, yet they/we are still described as strangers or exiles. I can at times feel something of this tension in a different way as a legal alien (from the UK) living in the United States. The homeland or country we look for is not England (at least most of the time!), but the city that God is building in heaven that will populate the new earth. Referred to in John's Revelation as the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem which is being prepared as a bride for his Son, Jesus. He speaks of the Church.

In this sense we are to live a life of impact here and now, perhaps even as pioneers, but all the while not settling for this but looking for the fulfillment of the promise. These people never got to see God 'come through' for them in their lifetime. This is a challenge to us when we can be so preoccupied with human notions of "success", that we could even misinterpret such a reality as failure or lack of faith. But God is not ashamed of them, of being their God. He loves their devotion and commitment in spite of outward circumstances. Father, may we have such grace upon us to keep our sights set on that which is above.

Prayer: Pray for all to hear the truth, acknowledge their need, turn to Jesus for grace, forgiveness and empowerment by His Spirit. Pray that we would be a people who will receive God's promises. Thank God for calling us to Himself.