seeing the promise afar off

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. (Heb. 11:13)

Reading through the "Hall of Faith" this morning and taken captive by this verse as I often have tried to express this thought myself, but of course scripture says it most concisely.  It speaks of Abraham and Moses and so many who longed for the Promised Land and never saw it for themselves but trusted the promise of God that it would come to their posterity.

And so it was for the Pilgrims who called themselves "stepping stones," yearning and pursuing freedom to worship God in a free country...most never seeing it for themselves, but knwoing that it wasn't for themselves that they were pursuing it, but for their children and their children's children.  And America's founding heroes: Nathan Hale, the 7 minutemen who perished at the Lexington Battle Green, and multiple others who sacrificed and died that a nation might be free.  They never saw it for themselves, but their children, grandchildren, and great-great-great-great grandchildren embrace the freedom (albeit not with enough appreciation) their ancestors pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for.  Thank you to those who can't hear the words from me.  They are long gone from this earth but so many reside in the eternal city where I will one day join them and offer my inadequate thanks and appreciation.

Not mentioned are the brave slaves who risked their lives and families for freedom as they fled through the underground railroad, or Martin Luther King who sought equal rights for all, yet never saw it for himself.  Freedom came.  Freedom lives.  And we must continue to hold onto it tightly and never give up the fight.

And so, we who fight for the lives of the unborn may never see it in our day, but we keep on so that our children's children's children may have life and not be snuffed out of earthly existence.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)  

We may be the stepping stones for the millions of unborn that will live to see the light of day.  To God be the glory.  It is God who gives freedom, who gives life.

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now, choose life so that you and your children may live.  (Dt. 30:19)