Living by faith
29 June 2006 An Article from Couldn't Help Noticing
Joseph was the epitome of success. From being imprisoned and with no apparent prospects at all, he rose to become the 2IC in all of Egypt, with all the trimmings and trappings of such a prestigious and powerful position.
Yet, as Hebrews 11:22 points out, he did not take his eyes off the promises of God—that his people would inherit a land that would be their own, and where God would be their God.
The writer is making the point that people like Joseph “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one”. They are “aliens and strangers” where they live, because they long for heaven.
And as a result “God is not ashamed to be called their God”.
It is so easy to be caught up in the things of this world. I should think God would very often have cause to be ashamed of some of us who take the name of “Christian” upon ourselves, when we get so passionate about such temporal matters.
But here is the solution: remember the “great crowd of witnesses” who have given us such a great example of faith—”the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. And “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2)”.
Noticed by Ian at 08:44 AM
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