Wednesday, November 13th, 2019

These days it’s hard to look anywhere and not see or hear comparisons. Whether it is presidential candidates, celebrities, or most often, the people in our own lives, we often cannot help but compare ourselves to others. Comparison is one of the enemy’s favorite methods of making us feel isolated, unwanted, unsuccessful, or jealous, but it is also an inevitable fact of life. Even the Bible lists some of the “celebrities” of faith. Paul highlighted the faith of people like Abraham, Noah, and Sarah but a key distinction in the way he did so must be made. After singing their praises, instead of insinuating that others were not as good as them, Paul gave clear instructions as to what made them special – and what can make each of us just as special. He wrote, “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Comparing yourself to others is fruitless when God sees you as His own unique creation. Today, free yourself of the burden of expectations by accepting the fact you will not have everything your heart desires in this life, but you will have everything you need by the hand of God and blessings far greater than you can imagine in Heaven.

“All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” – Hebrews 11: 13-16 NLT