All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.
Hebrews 11:13
From a Distance
The men and women of faith mentioned in this chapter died on the other side of the salvation promise. They did not get to see their hope fulfilled in this life, but they went to their graves believing in it. That is hard for us to grasp because we live with the promise behind us instead of in front of us like they did. We even take that for granted sometimes. They did not see the fruit of salvation, but it still drove them and their faith. They knew that they were simply stopping by on this planet earth; there would be a greater hope to come. They trusted in this hope.
Today we live on the whole other side of the promise. It is different because we know the salvation of Christ, so our hope is in his promised return for us. Heaven is our hope. Just as they lived with salvation in their view, so we should live with heaven, knowing God will make good on His promise.
A Prayer to Remember
Dear Lord,
May I always live with the hope of heaven in my view. May it drive me and my faith. Amen.