Don’t worry about it!

Hebrews 11:16b

“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11 is often called “The Heroes of Faith” chapter. It lists some of the “great” Old Testament believers, like Noah and Enoch, and Abraham. In some ways, they were great! Abraham left his homeland – left everything behind! – to go to a land God would show him. Noah built the ark. David fought Goliath. Rahab protected the spies. Amazing!

But …

•  … Abraham lied about his wife; he slept with Hagar.
• … Jacob’s family was a mess.
• … Moses was a murderer.
• … David was an adulterer and a murderer.

Oh. Yes, these people were great believers; they were also horrible sinners … just like me.

So it’s with amazement that we hear God say that he’s not ashamed to be called their God! Wow! Not ashamed of Abraham, the liar, or David the adulterer, etc? No. Not ashamed. Oh, God wasn’t happy/proud of what they’d done! But they were forgiven. And because Jesus died and rose for them, God could claim them proudly.

Just like he claims you, proudly.

Thankful that God’s not ashamed to be called my God, just like you,

pastor