Seeking a Country

In the middle of Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter), after many examples of faithful believers from Genesis, and before all the sawn-in-two, slain-with-the-sword, wandering-in-sheepskins bit, there is a little statement about the early examples of believers with faith.

These died in faith, having not received the promises they believed in, but seeing them from far away, says the passage. Then, in verse 16, the passage states:

Now these seek a better country

A better country than the one they had been living in. A better country. And in case the reader starts imputing political meaning to the statement, the writer of Hebrews clarifies that they seek a "heavenly" country.

Our country, our walk on earth, is going to be filled with disappointments. But we seek a better country.

Our house will fall apart, our kids will rebel, we'll lose jobs and lose trust in some we love, and lose our innocence and our place in society.

But we seek a better country.

Our churches will fail, our friends will forget, our parents will age, our money will disappear.

But we seek a better country.

Our car will break down, our kids will get sick, our spouse will complain, our work will lose meaning.

But we seek a better country.

Come, Lord Jesus.