SEPTEMBER 26

A CONTINUING CITY

“He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. – Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.” (Heb. 11:10,16)

“For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Heb. 13:14). Of the present, natural realms, it can truly be said, “we have here no continuing city.” For “the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are age-abiding.” (2 Cor. 4:18). Thus Abraham’s testimony was such that he was not looking for a permanent dwelling place on a material earth realm, he desired that heavenly realm which endures. As a sign of his temporary status, he dwelt in tents, something easily moved from place to place, signifying he was but a pilgrim, passing through the land. Dwelling in tents became a symbol that he found here no continuing city, but he looked for one to come, one which had foundations, which was permanently fixed.

We, too, seek one to come. This word “seek” holds within its meaning more than just looking for something, it is intense, meaning to DESIRE to the point of REQUIRING IT. It is a vital necessity, we must have it, we will be satisfied with nothing less. If necessary, we will sell all else, to obtain that which our heart desires.

The Builder, the skilled, artistic craftsman is God. The originality, the design, the marvelous blueprint for this city is God’s. He is not only the Designer, He is also the MAKER, the Executer of that design. “It is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” It is of His will, the desire and the design are His, and then the doing, the energy force which accomplishes the work is also His.

“I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2). While there is a place being prepared for us, “He hath prepared for them a city,” it is self-evident that He is also in the process of PREPARING US for that realm in Him. “Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.” (Ps. 87:3).

Ray Prinzing