9 By faith he lived in the land he had been promised as a stranger. He lived in tents along with Isaac and Jacob, who were coheirs of the same promise. 10 He was looking forward to a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah received the ability to have a child, though she herself was barren and past the age for having children, because she believed that the one who promised was faithful. 12 So descendants were born from one man (and he was as good as dead). They were as many as the number of the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore. 13 All of these people died in faith without receiving the promises, but they saw the promises from a distance and welcomed them. They confessed that they were strangers and immigrants on earth. 14 People who say this kind of thing make it clear that they are looking for a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return to it. 16 But at this point in time, they are longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God isn’t ashamed to be called their God—he has prepared a city for them.
In the list of heroes of the faith delineated in Hebrews chapter eleven, Enoch is one of the greatest. Enoch walked with God and pleased God by his faithfulness. God rewards him by taking Enoch to heaven prior to death. We see by the life of Enoch that it is not only possible to please God, but it is also impossible to gain everlasting life without faith. God rewards faithfulness with the promise of His continuous presence in eternity.
We differ from Enoch, not in our potential for great faith, but our promise of eternal life is yet to be fulfilled. We may only look forward to and long for our heavenly home. A longing towards heaven, not as if we have been there, but because we long for the One we know is waiting there to be with us.
Are you longing for your heavenly home? Follow the example of Enoch and live a life of such faith that you know His presence as you walk with Him today.
Hymn for Today: "My Heavenly Home"
1. My heav’nly home is bright and fair,
Nor pain nor death can enter there;
Its glitt’ring towers the sun outshine,
That heav’nly mansion shall be mine.
Refrain:
I’m going home, I’m going home,
I’m going home to die no more,
To die no more, to die no more,
I’m going home to die no more.
2. My Father’s home is built on high,
Far, far above the starry sky;
When from this earthly prison free,
That heav’nly mansion mine shall be.
Refrain:
I’m going home, I’m going home,
I’m going home to die no more,
To die no more, to die no more,
I’m going home to die no more.
3. Let others seek a home below,
Which flames devour, or waves o’erflow;
Be mine a happier lot to own
A heav’nly mansion near the throne.
Refrain:
I’m going home, I’m going home,
I’m going home to die no more,
To die no more, to die no more,
I’m going home to die no more.
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