Hebrews 11:13

Hebrews 11:13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them,

What long arms faith has! The promises are afar off, and yet faith embraces them tonight. Embrace the promises, dear friends, and stretch out your hands by faith to hands that have gone before.

"E’en now by faith we join our hands With those that went before;

And greet the blood-besprinkled bands On the eternal shore."

Hebrews 11:13. And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

They not only were strangers and pilgrims, but they confessed it. Confessed faith is requisite. Oh, you who, like Nicodemus, come to Christ by night, be ashamed that you are ashamed, and come out, and boldly confess what you are!