Living Well in Hard Times: Part 1
A few years back I was chatting with one of my dearest friends. At the time we were both struggling with selling our houses. They had been on the market far too long. For years we have prayed together sharing deep private matters of our lives and our family’s lives. Most times the Holy Spirit would interact with us as we prayed and chatted. I remember this one time in particular because it rocked me as the words came out my mouth.
“We just love the world too much. That is why we care so much about our lives and our stuff.”
This was truer than I even realized at the time. Hebrews 11 talks about phenomenal people of faith of whom the world was not worthy. All the people of Hebrews 11 lived with eternal priorities. God says of them:
All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that [country] from which they went out, 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; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16
These Hebrews 11 people had their feet on the earth, but their heart lived somewhere else. They saw beyond this age, welcoming the promises from a distance – that is, seeing into the next age from this age. That is faith. Faith sees the things God says as reality even when they are not yet manifested (verse 6). Don’t miss the last sentence of verse 16: Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Abraham left everything for this City—the Millennial New Jerusalem—the City with foundations whose builder and maker is God (Revelation 21). And God says that He has prepared this City for those who see and live beyond life in this world, for it is said of them that they seek a heavenly country. These scriptures, and others like them, reveal the eternal purposes God has for Israel and Jerusalem. No wonder there is such fierce demonic activity surrounding Israel in our time! It is the spiritual manifesting through the natural.
Having eternal eyesight gave the Hebrews 11 people courage in intense circumstances. It gave them courage to obey when obeying was costly. Hebrews 10:34 says they accepted joyfully the seizure of their property, knowing that they had a better possession and a lasting one. Consider these extremes from Hebrews 11: verses 32-38 exhibit the victories of their faith and the utter vandalism of their lives because of their faith—those of whom the world was not worthy!
And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:32-38
Can you imagine what Noah went through? God tells him to do something no one would understand and probably mocked him for, because he found favor with God and was righteous (Genesis 6). It wasn't for a week or a year either, it was 100 years he endured their ridicule. This was in the midst of extremely wicked people, so wicked that God wiped them ALL out. Yet in the midst of this environment Noah continued to build and prepare for what was coming (Genesis 6:13).
Everything about Abraham’s promise centered on Isaac, and yet Abraham willingly offered him. He reasoned that God was able to raise Isaac form the dead. Abraham was taken to the extreme point of losing everything to obey. Abraham offered his promise over to death that he might see that promise receive life.
And of Moses that he chose rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. Think about Egypt’s treasures. Egypt was wealthy and powerful, however, Moses considered the REPROACH of Christ more valuable. Moses lived for the eternal knowing the value of the eternal kingdom far outweighed anything Egypt could offer. This bookmarked his place in Hebrews 11.
Others foreclosed on this life choosing rather a better resurrection. What gives people the strength to do this? It is all in what we see and what we value. If we love this world and our stuff we will not have the spiritual fortitude to endure.
Would your choices fit in Hebrews 11?
By faith she chose to be a stay-at-home mom, knowing that the value of raising her children far outweighed a Coach purse or a new house.
By faith he chose the job that paid less, because it please God.
By faith he spoke the truth in the midst of God’s enemies knowing the power of the Gospel could save them, but may cost him his job.
By faith she gave her last $10 to the poor.
The list could go on and on. Not all, if any, of our faith choices are earth shaking. But they reveal who we are and where our eyes are fixed. Living with eternal eyesight gives us courage and endurance in this life. There may come a day for us here in the USA where we too will have to accept the confiscation of our property.
Will
it be said of us that we did it joyfully?
