ESOCS Devotional 6 March 2025 – Look For A Better Place
MEMORY VERSE:“But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16 NLT
TEXT: HEBREWS 11:1–16
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
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“Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” These words from the American poet Robert Frost express something of the deep human desire for a place to belong. Whether it’s out of obligation or—even better—because of others’ love for us, we long for a place where we are welcomed, known, cared for, and embraced.
Does such a place really exist? In this world, every home we make for ourselves, no matter how sweet it may feel, will always fall short. Sin and death bring an end to our earthly comfort, and even the best places in this life offer only a glimpse or a foretaste of full life with God in His presence. The patriarchs and matriarchs, by faith, went somewhere. They followed God’s call or discovered that God was with them as they went. And they learned that just going somewhere could never satisfy the longing that only God could fulfil. They looked for a better place, a heavenly home.
We are to seek heaven because we desire to be with Jesus, the lover of our souls. If you are not rearranging your busy schedule so that you can seek the things above, where Christ is (Col. 3:1), you need to examine your heart. You may have left your first love for the Saviour, who gave Himself to secure you as His bride. Jesus has promised something remarkable to all who trust in Him. Even as He faced His own death for our sins, Jesus offered the hope of eternal life with God to all who will follow Him. He promised to lead believers to the Father and to prepare a place for redeemed sinners longing to be at home with God.
While we may live here for a season, we must bear in mind that this is a temporary living situation. Our earthly home is not our true home because we have a better home; and an abiding one, in heaven (Hebrews 10:34). “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). If we love, follow, and serve Christ, wherever we live in this world, we know we belong somewhere else. Our Saviour doesn’t merely tantalize us with the offer of a perfect home, He assures us that His word is true. Believe His promise and trust in His grace to prepare you for the place where your Father will certainly take you in. As you dwell here on earth for this allotted time, prepare your heart and family by faith to live forever at home with the Lord.
CHALLENGES
- How can we develop a deeper desire for heaven? How do we seek things above?
PRAYER POINT
- Father, lead us by your Holy Spirit through our journey of life and bring us safely to the home you have prepared for us by your grace. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Joshua 9:16–end; 10:1–16; Hebrews 11:17-40
ESOCS Devotional 6 March 2025
