September 28

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. — Heb 11:16 BSB

In desiring a better country, these ancient pilgrims longed for something heavenly—something that carried the scent and taste of God, that came from God and led to God. They sought a heavenly religion, a spiritual faith, a gracious hope, and a love poured into their hearts by the Holy Spirit. They desired something that would give them heavenly feelings, heavenly sensations, heavenly delights, and heavenly joys—something that would purify their hearts from the love of sin, carnality, and worldliness by offering them something far sweeter to taste, far better to love, and far more holy to enjoy.

These heavenly visitations, these moments of experiencing the favor, goodness, and mercy of God, keep the soul alive through its many spiritual deaths. They sweeten life’s many bitter moments, hold it up through many moments of sinking, and keep it from drowning in the midst of overwhelming waters.

A carnal mind has no taste for heavenly things, no delight in the Word of God, no joy in the Lord Jesus as revealed through the Word. It has no pleasure in private devotions, secret meditation, studying the Scriptures, communion with God, or even in the company of God’s people. There must be a ‘heavenly element’ within the soul for one to understand, realize, enjoy, and delight in heavenly things. The Holy Spirit must work within us a new heart and a new nature, capable of appreciating and delighting in heavenly realities as being sweet and precious to the soul.

Thus, they desired a better country—a heavenly one, a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. It’s a place where pleasures are at God’s right hand forevermore, where the pure river of the water of life flows, and where the tree of life provides leaves for the healing of the nations. This is the city John describes in Revelation, where everything is happiness, harmony, and peace.