Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 11:16

"But now they desire a better [country], that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city." — Hebrews 11:16 (ASV)

But now they desire a better country,

Do you feel those desires within your heart? If not, surely you have no faith, for those who have faith in the better country desire it.

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.

They are not ashamed to be called God's people, and he is not ashamed to be called their God. They are looking for a city, and he has prepared a city for them. Evidently he and they are well agreed.

They want a heaven, and he is preparing heaven for them, and preparing them for heaven.

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.

For they are not ashamed to look forward to the future for their chief joy; and God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared that chief joy for them.

That is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

He might be ashamed to be called their God if He had unsettled them, and made them long for another city, and yet had never prepared one for them. The longings of the saints are but prophecies of the benediction of God. What He makes us hunger for, is prepared. The bread of life shall be given to us, and that country which He makes us seek, exists, and will be found by us. Therefore, keep your face that way, and let every longing and pining for the home country reassure you that this is not any dreamland, but that there is such a place.

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.

Their desire for a better country has been implanted within them by God himself, and he hath prepared for them a city which will more than satisfy their utmost desires.