“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord–Christ] shall be saved. 22 You men of Israel, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and shown forth and commended and attested to you by God by the mighty works and [the power of performing] wonders and signs which God worked through Him [right] in your midst, as you yourselves know–23 This Jesus, when delivered up according to the definite and fixed purpose and settled plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and put out of the way [killing Him] by the hands of lawless and wicked men. 24[But] God raised Him up, liberating Him from the pangs of death, seeing that it was not possible for Him to continue to be controlled or retained by it. 25 For David says in regard to Him, I saw the Lord constantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken or overthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state]. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope [will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection]. 27 For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy one know decay or see destruction [of the body after death]. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence.  Acts 2:21-28 AMP

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up to address the people of Jerusalem and in the course of his speech, he quoted King David: “Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope” and the Amplified Bible expands on this statement, adding the words: “will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection.” A tent is a temporary dwelling – it is not meant to be a permanent dwelling. Today we use them to go on a camping vacation; people use tents in emergencies, as temporary housing; in turbulent parts of the world, tents are used to house refugees. Except for certain peoples like the Bedouin, a tent is not where we ultimately aspire to be – it is not permanent – it is just something we have and use on the way to our more permanent and fixed habitation.

Hope is like a tent – it is not our house, but it is an appropriate temporary habitation on the way to our permanent house – the fulfillment of the promise. We may not have the promise – we may not be living in the house yet – but we know its coming! Not only is hope the tent, but hope is a tent pitched in a particular place – the place where it expects the house to be built.

[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. 9 [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.  Hebrews 11:8-10 AMP

Abraham was prompted by faith to leave his home and family and live as a temporary resident in a strange land, while he expectantly and confidently waited for a city with fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God. Abraham pitched his tent, and lived in it, in the land, promised by God to his descendants. This is the land in which his children and grandchildren would be born and the land they would eventually occupy. Abraham never built a house there – he lived in his tent until he died – because Abraham was not only looking forward to an earthly city – he was looking forward to a heavenly city! Faith confidently expects God to answer prayers and fulfill His promises. Abraham’s faith was his tent while he patiently waited and looked forward to his permanent habitation in the glory of God.

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].  Hebrews 11:1 AMP

Our faith is the proof that we have what we are believing for. We cannot see it yet, but the answer to our prayer of faith is on its way. We live in our tent of hope and faith while the house is being built for us and before long we will move into the house and experience the blessing we hoped for and confidently expected!