These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:13-16)
Our Father has prepared a city for you and me, too. Through eyes of faith, we also can see it just ahead in the distance. We, too, acknowledge we are pilgrims here. This world is not our home, and this is something we want to be mindful of each day of our sojourn.
God has reserved heaven for those of us who have placed no one and nothing before him. Having God first-place in our lives is to put the things of God first in our lives. Jesus taught that his disciples would set themselves apart from those who are worldly minded. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
God has reserved heaven for those who love him. We show God whether our love for him is truly genuine in the daily choices we make. When we love the Father, as he wants us to, we are willing to walk in his way known as the “path of righteousness.” We will want to obey the commands he has given through love.
