SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16
1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not
seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that
what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
8
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to
receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9
By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign
land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the
same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has
foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith he
received power of procreation, even though he was too old-- and Sarah herself
was barren-- because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12
Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born,
"as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by
the seashore." 13 All of these died in faith without having
received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They
confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14
for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind,
they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they
desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed
to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.