If God promised Abraham the land of Israel as an everlasting possession (Gen. 17:8), then the land of Cannan was not the land God had in mind. One, Abraham never owned any of that land. According to the Scriptures, Abraham died in faith without receiving the promise (Heb. 11:13). Two, because of the curse, this present world is not eternal. By faith, Abraham believed he would be resurrected from the dead. By faith, Abraham was looking to receive an everlasting possession. By faith, Abraham did not believe this present world was what God had in mind. By faith, Abraham knew this world was not his home. By faith, Abraham “acknowledged” that he was a stranger and exile in the land of his sojourning (Heb. 11:13). By faith, Abraham viewed himself as a lifelong pilgrim looking for a better resting place. By faith, Abraham understood that his inheritance would be an everlasting city whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10). By faith, Abraham lived with his eyes upon the new heavens and the new earth—a place that has no curse and is truly everlasting. Such a place is a much better country.
There is coming a day when Abraham will receive his inheritance. And so shall we if we, too, are the children of Abraham by faith. We, too, are pilgrims and strangers in this fallen world awaiting our eternal rest—a place where perfect peace and righteousness dwell. God will keep all His promises, but His promises are always better than we can imagine.