“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” (Hebrews 11:9-10).
In addition to being prompt, drastic, and unquestioning (see yesterday’s blog), Abraham’s robust faith impacted more than just his departure from the cities of Ur and Haran. It turned his lifestyle completely upside down.
He sojourned (v. 9). He was a foreigner dwelling in a country without any rights of citizenship. Though God had promised Abraham the land he lived in, the only parcel of it he owned was the plot of ground he bought to bury his beloved Sarah.
He persistently waited (v. 10). The Greek verb translated “waited for” is imperfect in tense. This indicates a perpetual action. Though Abraham may have grown impatient and been presumptuous in waiting for God’s fulfillment of a son, he faithfully persevered in trusting God’s promise of a land inheritance. To the very day he died—not having received the land promise—he still was living by faith (Hebrews 11:13).
Robust faith in God not only impacts your past, it also permeates your present until the day you die.
