All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
— Hebrews 11:13-16

~~~~~

Strangers and Pilgrims
By Jennifer Kane

They lived by faith,
their eyes set on horizons,
their hands clutching promises
never fully held.

From a distance, they saw
a city not built by human hands—
a glimmer, a whisper,
a homeland not of this earth.
Strangers here, they said,
foreigners among their own.
The soil beneath their feet
was never home,
but a path to something better.

If they had looked back,
to the comforts of what they left behind,
they could have returned—
but they did not.
Their hearts were restless,
longing for a better country,
a heavenly one.

Tents were enough,
for their hope pitched its stakes
in unseen ground,
its roots reaching for eternity.
They saw foundations
that no eye could trace,
heard music no ear could grasp.
They were seeking the city
whose architect is God.

And God—unashamed to call them His own—
prepared it for them:
a city where faith’s vision turns real,
where promises
no longer flicker
from afar.

~~~~~

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16

All these people died in faith. Wait, hold up—died in faith? Aren’t we taught that if you just have enough faith, everything will go your way? Like, “Have enough faith, and you’ll never be sick. Have enough faith, and you’ll get the house, the car, the dream life!” But here we are: They died in faith. They didn’t get what was promised, not while they were alive anyway.

They saw the promises from far off. They believed them, they held onto them, and they openly admitted they were just passing through this life. “We’re strangers and pilgrims here,” they said. They had the right perspective—this world wasn’t home. They didn’t get attached to temporary things. Abraham himself lived in tents, waiting for something permanent: a city built by God. He wasn’t looking back at the life he left behind. He pressed forward, longing for a better country, a heavenly one.

This idea of living as pilgrims is echoed in 1 Peter 2:11: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” Like the patriarchs, we are called to remember that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and our lives here are but a journey toward our eternal home. This mindset requires us to loosen our grip on earthly treasures and ambitions, focusing instead on God’s promises and His eternal kingdom.

Faith, as described here, does not mean seeing everything fulfilled in our lifetime. Consider the words of Jesus in John 8:56: “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” Abraham’s faith reached beyond his time, rejoicing in the promise of the Messiah, even though he did not live to see it fulfilled. This kind of faith transcends generations, trusting God to fulfill His word in His perfect time.

The reflection continues by addressing the pilgrim’s heart. To live as strangers and pilgrims is to recognize that this world is not our ultimate home. We are reminded of the words of Jesus in John 14:2-3: “My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.” This promise resonates with the heavenly city described in Revelation 21:2, a city prepared for those who long for God’s presence. Our journey as believers is directed toward this eternal destination, and faith sustains us as we press forward.

The patriarchs’ faith also highlights a significant truth: they could have turned back. As the passage notes, “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.” Yet they pressed on, desiring “a better country—a heavenly one.” This determination mirrors the call in Luke 9:62: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Faith requires forward movement, a commitment to trust God and follow Him no matter the cost.

Their longing for a better country challenges us today. Do we desire the things of God more than the fleeting pleasures of this world? Colossians 3:1-2 urges us to “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” When we cultivate this eternal perspective, we can endure trials and sacrifices, knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Finally, we are told, “God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” This statement is profoundly encouraging. It assures us that when we live by faith, God honors our trust in Him. He identifies with us as His people, just as He identified Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6). This promise of God’s faithfulness gives us confidence to persevere, knowing that our hope is not in vain.

As we reflect on this passage, let us examine our own faith. Are we living as strangers and pilgrims, or are we too attached to the things of this world? Are we pressing forward, or are we tempted to turn back? Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2), who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. By His example, we can run with endurance the race marked out for us, confident in the promises of God.

Let us also take heart in the assurance that God is preparing a city for us. As we face trials and uncertainties, may we find strength in the words of 2 Corinthians 4:18: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” With this perspective, we can live boldly, trusting that our faith will one day be fully realized in the presence of our Lord.

~~~~~


Heavenly Father, We come before You as strangers and pilgrims, longing for the better country You have promised. Thank You for the examples of faith in Scripture—those who trusted in Your promises even when they did not see them fulfilled in their lifetime. Teach us to live with this same perspective, fixing our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen and eternal.

Help us, Lord, to loosen our grip on the fleeting comforts of this world and to cling to the hope of the city You have prepared for us. Give us the courage to press forward, even when the road is hard, and the faith to trust in Your perfect plan.

May our lives reflect a deep desire for Your kingdom and a firm confidence in Your promises. Strengthen our hearts for the journey, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Thank You, Father, that You are not ashamed to call us Your own. We long for the day when faith becomes sight and we dwell with You in the city whose foundation is built by Your hands. Until then, keep us faithful, trusting, and hopeful.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

December 18 2024