Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." (KJV)

God's promise with an "I will" commitment to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3 ) to bring him to a land - to make him a great nation - to bless him with prosperity and posterity. His name would be great and he would be made a blessing. The nations would be judged according to how they treated him and his people - that in him all the families of the earth blessed. (Jesus, God's Son, in whom there is salvation for all who believe, was Abraham's descendant).

Abraham responded to God's call and commitment, was obedient in faith, leaving his homeland and security, comforts and prospects, to travel to an unknown land (Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 12:1-9 ). Personal obedient faith is the right response to God's call and commitment. What God initiates and reveals and pledges is the solid ground of faith.

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Abraham by Faith Lived A Resident Alien Life

Hebrews 11:9 "By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, ..." (NKJV)

He lived in tents owning nothing of the land - the only exception in his lifetime being the cave of Machpelah in Hebron (Genesis 23 ) where he buried his wife. The land of promise remained just that to his dying day. It was Joshua who a number of generations after Abraham's death led Abraham's descendants into possession of the land. Faith persists even when things in the present are not what they shall be. Abraham's pilgrim life was evidence he lived in tents. Ours is demonstrated by lives that conform to New Testament standards or being aliens and strangers.

1 Peter 2:11-12 "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." (NKJV)

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Abraham by Faith Waited for the City

Hebrews 11:10 "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (KJV)

Abraham lived the tent nomad life because his faith had laid hold on a greater reality. His faith anticipated the day when God would bring to earth a city with eternal foundations.

Revelation 21:2 "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (KJV)

Through faith in Christ Jesus our prospects, as implied by the city we wait for (Hebrews 12:22; 13:14 ), are eternal fellowship - glory unfading - fullness of joy - constant display of the Lord's wisdom, skill, goodness, glory - intimate knowledge of Him as architect - total provision for everlasting satisfaction and fulfilment. The immense wealth with which God blessed Abraham was never allowed to stop him being an expectant, motivated pilgrim. The eye of faith never lost sight of the city - under the test of wealth he displayed true faith.