Day 20

Not ashamed

To Start

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Clear your mind.

Pray

Yahweh,

As we read about our identity, show us the truth and the lies we believe.

As we read about our destiny, show us the truth and the lies we believe.

As we read about our desires, show us the truth and the lies we believe.

As we read about You, show us the truth and the lies we believe.

Amen.

Read

Read Hebrews 11:13-16 & Revelation 21:1-7

As you read…

• Ask God to reveal your destiny. What is the real truth about your future?

• Ask God to reveal His identity. What do you know about Who God is from these passages?

• What does it mean that God is “not ashamed to be called their God”? Why might God have felt shame?

Hebrews 11:13-16

¹³ These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. ¹⁴ Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵ If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Revelation 21:1-7

¹ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ² I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

³ Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. ⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more,because the previous things have passed away.

⁵ Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” ⁶ Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.

From JL

Right before He dies, Jesus eats dinner with His friends. It’s a big dinner: He institutes the meal we call the Lord’s supper or communion. He washes his disciples’ feet. He predicts his own betrayal and death. He prays. And He says goodbye.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled,” He says, tenderness in every word. “Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3).

It’s this passage I think of when I read the words, “Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

Jesus doesn’t make empty promises. He said He was going to prepare a place, because He was going to prepare a place. He looked his best friends in the eyes and said, “Would I lie to you?” And then He died for them.

Did you ever see that episode of The Office where Michael Scott promises a class of kindergartners that he’ll pay for their college if they graduate high school? If you haven’t, sorry for the spoiler. Can’t be helped. In the episode, it’s been 12 years since that promise, and it’s almost time for the once-kindergarteners, now high school seniors, to cash in. The entire class is on track to go to college—an amazing achievement they credit to the hope provided by the generous Michael Scott. There’s only one problem. Michael is broke and won’t be sending any of these young people to college. The episode is almost unwatchable because of Michael’s (well-deserved) shame.

God is not making Michael Scott promises.

Heaven is not a dangled carrot to get you through the hardships of this world. Heaven is the home prepared for you with love by your Father and Jesus, your Groom. It’s not a vague wish-place. It’s the city you’re going to live in forever, because God wants to be with you.

Process

Consider the prayer we’re been praying this week.

Has God revealed anything to you about your identity, desires, or destiny?

What lies have you been believing (actively or passively)?

What’s the truth?

In the Comments

What’s one thing you’re seeing/feeling/celebrating after spending the week in these three verses?

Godspeed,

JL