Hebrews 11:8-10 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. 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; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Have you ever considered why Abraham was called the father of faith? Why not Enoch, who was translated from this world? Or Noah, who by faith created an ark to save mankind in the days of the flood? Abraham didn’t perform any miracles, signs, or wonders, which would qualify him by today’s standards of spiritual performance, yet he is known as the Father of Faith, simply because he trusted in the Kingdom to come.
Abraham’s faith established a pattern for us believers today. He left his past behind, turned away from everything he knew, and embarked on a journey without knowing his destination, stepping out of his comfort zone and relying solely on God’s word and guidance. This passage informs us that, in some way, God had revealed the New Jerusalem to His servant and friend. What else could it be, “The city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God”?
This eternal city is the final consummation of the Millenial Kingdom, lasting 1000 years [Revelation 20], but which will never end. If Abraham saw and waited for it, no doubt this was the inspiration that brought him through the many trials he faced–receiving his wife Sarah back from Pharoah’s harem, rescuing his nephew Lot from the most powerful armies on Earth at the time, with 318 men; having to send a wife and a son into the desert; among others, including, finally the offering of his beloved firstborn, Isaac.
Yes, the Father of Faith had his faith tested over and over again. Maybe you can relate? But this man saw something that unwaveringly egged him on in obedience, year after year, and it wasn’t even The Promised Land. It was the Eternal City, the New Jerusalem with all those amazing pearl gates and jeweled foundations [Revelation 21:10-27]. When you “see” that place, your faith will take you through anything.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]A survey asked mothers to keep track of how many times they made both negative and positive comments to their children. The surveyed mothers admitted that they criticized at least ten times for every one time they said something favorable. Another survey taken in one city's schools found that the teachers were negative seventy five per cent of the time. This study concluded that it takes four positive statements to a child from a parent or teacher to offset the effects of one negative statement. Wow, when I think about how many times I've said negative things to people in my lifetime, I have some positive paying back to do!
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