Reflections on God’s Grace and the Promise of a Better City
Sometimes, it feels like the world is built on competition—status, power, and success seem to be what everyone chases. We often look at those who have “made it” and think they’re on top of everything. But the truth, found in the Bible, is a gentle and powerful reminder: it’s not our own greatness that lifts us up, but God’s amazing grace.
The book of Hebrews says that people like Abraham were looking past everything temporary, hoping for “the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). This isn’t just a physical place—it’s a promise of something lasting, stable, and perfect, designed by God Himself. Abraham lived on earth, but his heart was set on something better—a future home where God rules with love, not pride or power.
It’s easy to get caught up in the “earthly city”—the world around us, which often runs on pride and the desire to control. But in God’s eyes, true greatness comes through humility. As Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” We’re encouraged not to rely on our own accomplishments or look down on others, but to recognize that everything good we experience is a gift from God.
Psalm 103 reminds us to bless the Lord and not forget all the ways He’s blessed us—healing, forgiveness, kindness, and love that never gives up. Yet, if we’re honest, we often overlook these “God things.” We get distracted by what we don’t have, or by messages that twist God’s word—like the “prosperity gospel,” which suggests faith is about getting rich or comfortable, or the “gospel of accommodation,” which waters down what God asks of us.
But the heart of the gospel—the “good news”—is rich and simple: we stand before God (the Latin phrase is “coram Deo”—in the presence of God) every moment of our lives. This means everything we say and do matters, because God sees and cares. As 2 Corinthians 11:3 warns, it’s easy to be led away from “the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” We don’t need to make the message more complicated or flashy; we just need to hold on to Jesus.
So, what does this mean for us? It means living with hope—not a flimsy wish, but a strong confidence that God has something better for us, a permanent home, a “city with foundations.” It means staying humble, grateful, and honest before God and others. And it means keeping watch—being alert to what God is doing in our lives, especially in the quiet, “night watch” moments when we’re tempted to forget His goodness.
Let’s remember: the real story isn’t about us building our own thrones, but about God inviting us into something far greater by His grace. May we never lose sight of that blessed hope, and may we live each day in the light of His love.
Minister A Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 