Matthew Henry Commentary Hebrews 11:8-19

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a [land] not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised: wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that [country] from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 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. By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten [son]; even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God [is] able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back." — Hebrews 11:8-19 (ASV)

We are often called to leave worldly connections, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we will obey and go forth, though not knowing what may happen to us; and we will be found in the way of duty, looking for the fulfillment of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God. Being convinced of that, she truly judged that He both could and would perform it.

Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith can take hold of blessings at a great distance, can make them present, and can enable us to love them and rejoice in them, though we are strangers—saints whose home is heaven, pilgrims traveling toward their home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all its comforts and crosses.

And those once truly and savingly called out of a sinful state have no desire to return to it. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger their faith is, the more fervent those desires will be. Despite their humble state by nature, their vileness by sin, and the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers; such is His mercy, such is His love for them. Let them never be ashamed of being called His people, nor of any of those who are truly so, however much they are despised in the world.

Above all, let them take care that they are not a shame and reproach to their God. The greatest trial and act of faith on record is Abraham's offering up Isaac (Genesis 22:2). In that account, every word reveals a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears by looking, as Abraham did, to the almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is to give them up to God; He will then give them to us again in the way that will be best for us.

Let us examine how far our faith has produced similar obedience when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial or to make smaller sacrifices for our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up for all our losses and even bless us through the most painful trials?