“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

Why did the faith Hall of Famers not think about where they had been or where they were? Why did they not want to reclaim their homes on earth? What was wrong with the cities of the earth? Our author tells us in verse sixteen. They knew there was something better, and they wanted it much more than they wanted a place on earth. Historically we have known of many in real life and fiction who longed for a home, a place all their own. Here we are introduced to a large group of people, representatives really, who weren’t looking for the perfect home site on earth. They were willing to think of their stay on earth as temporary, a place to wait until the City of God was completed.

Why did they do this? Because they knew that the cities and their houses on earth could not compare with the city that God was building in heaven. The home of the faithful is not a castle or mansion in Upstate New York or Martha’s Vineyard. Their home will not be filled with perishable things of earth but of the imperishable things of heaven.

God is proud of His people. He is not ashamed to own them as His children and to reward them with the thing they seek most, a home with Him in the heavenly.

Task for Today: Join the Faithful Hall of Fame. Recant your love for this earthly home and let your desire for a heavenly one guide your actions as you go about your life today. God wants to share His home with you. What about you?