Last Thursday many in the U.S. celebrating “Thanksgiving Day”. I have to wonder how many U.S. citizens are actually aware of the real origins of this day and understand the history of the Puritans or Separatists? Those adventurers and seekers of religious freedom are often also called “Pilgrims”.

I’ve often considered at some time during the meal on Thanksgiving, “Who was the most famous and significant pilgrim in history?”

What immediately comes to mind is Abram! He headed off from his home in Ur of the Chaldees with God’s directive to journey to a new homeland. God was calling him to leave paganism and false religion and to live the Way of God that Abram was being called to. This famous departure is recorded in detail in the Book of Genesis.

“Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

We see a grand scope and expansive historical panorama in these prophetic words. The laws, commandments and principles that God gave to Abram would both stabilize and bless those who would follow and emulate them. Would they continue as time went on?

The Lord intended that the nation that grew from Abram’s descendants would be a model nation and would be an example of the blessings that come from living by Gods’ revealed laws. To a limited degree, the nations that eventually emerged from the descendants of the tribe of Joseph have brought blessings to the world. Might we perhaps consider who has distributed more Bibles and translations of the Bible in various languages in a greater way than the U.S. and Great Britain? The industrial age brought increased physical prosperity to many and helped make this possible.

Let us be reminded of the greatest blessing, which the descendant of the tribe of Judah who came to bring salvation and forgiveness of sins to not just the tribes of Israel but to all nations who would believe in and accept Him.

The apostle Paul applies the prophecy in Genesis 12:3 to the appearance of Christ and His work in fulfilling His mission to be the Lamb of God slain for the sins of mankind. “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” . . .”And to your Seed,” who is Christ. (Galatians 3:8, 16)

It’s recorded that many of the Pilgrims who journeyed to the “New World” believed in Christ and sought to practice the truths they saw written in the Scriptures the best they could with the understanding they had. They had challenges and trials, but I believe God blessed them for His purpose yet to come.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had their trials and tests but God was with them. The Book of Hebrews comments on these pilgrims and forerunners.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise” (Hebrews 11:8-9)

It was not the destiny of these patriarchs to be part of the nation made up of the tribes of Israel that would dwell in and develop the land of promise, Canaan. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13)

Those promises afar off, are indeed spiritual in their ultimate fulfillment.

This chapter is an encouragement for the believers of the first century and for all of us who have followed. We all are pilgrims and wanderers in a strange land – this temporary world that is filled with dangers and enemies influenced by the god of this land – our Adversary.

Over the years, my wife and I while pastoring Colombia, often stayed at a hotel in the very city center of Medellin where a famous drug lord (drug baron, kingpin or narcotrafficker – or a high ranking crime boss who controlled a sizable network of people involved in the illegal drug trade) once lived. We were reminded of what a stark contrast this way of life is that is offered to us!  Just like these pilgrims and men and women of faith, we look forward to receiving an inheritance not of this world and not of this age. Abram held on to a vision and promise of “the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)

Abram and the other pilgrims anticipated that ultimate new country and capital city! It is said of them that “they desired a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16)

You and I as “pilgrims” also look forward to living in that ultimate “city on the hill!”

It is coming. That is a promise from the Living God.

As I close this letter, as I do every Friday, as we enter His Sabbath…reflect on this evening’s letter with me, will you? May God continue to richly bless you. Our prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Please do pray for us as well.