Abraham left his home and dwelt “in a foreign country, dwelling in tents” (Heb. 11:9). He was willing to do this because God had made him a promise (see the word “promise” twice in that verse). What helped him to be so content? The next verse tells us, “For he waited…” Waited?
The same Greek word is used in John 5 of the infirmed who were “waiting for the moving of the water” (5:3). Can you see them waiting expectantly? The same Greek word is used in James 5 of the farmer who “waits for the precious fruit” (5:7). Can you see him waiting expectantly? The same Greek word is used in 1 Peter 3 of “the Divine longsuffering” that “waited in the days of Noah” (3:20). Can you see Him waiting expectantly? That’s what this word involves.
Now, back to Abraham. “By faith Abraham obeyed” God and lived in tents, because “he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10). God had promised, and Abraham was waiting expectantly. For what (and how) are you waiting?