2 Corinthians 4:16-18 -
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though
outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day
by day. For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So
we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is
seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Paul said that God in His mercy had given him a great work
to do and he would never give up…then he spends the rest of the chapter trying to
help the Corinthian church understand this deep commitment he had made to God. He
called God’s power to shine in the darkness that surrounded his life a ‘precious
treasure.’
Paul tells us that one of the reasons that God does not
remove all the struggles from our pathway is so that we will always be reminded
that the power and light He gives us are completely His….never our own. We
might become perplexed…hunted down…knocked down…or pressed by all manner of
troubles….but if we remain in God…the results will always be an increase of
strength and power.
My Life Application Bible commentary made five clear points
for why this is a good thing. It helps us to remember the great suffering of
our Lord on the cross. It helps to
remind us that pride always weakens ones faith.
It helps us look beyond the brief life we have here on earth…and focus
on the eternal promise God gives all believers. It proves our faith to others.
It provides an opportunity for God to demonstrate His love and power to
others.
I needed the reminder this morning to fix my eyes on what is
unseen…rather than the present circumstances around me. God placed me in a new season
of life where I am clearly out of the routines of the past. It is a wonderful
time of rest and leisure…while I search for the unseen reasons He sent me here.
I am trying not to feel guilty about the resting…enjoying it immensely…but finding
it very hard to believe that this is all He has for me to do. I know now this
time is somehow preparing me for the unseen just around the corner.
Father…thank you for the reminder that you are the light of
the world and have been from the beginning when you spoke light into existence.
Thank you for never giving up on this world but making a way for the seen to
become an even more glorious unseen. Forgive me for the times that I have taken
the light you have provided for granted…and let selfishness and worry dim the
light that you meant for me to shine to others.
Help me to rest completely in your love and power like Paul…and learn to
see the unseen with my heart instead of my eyes. Amen.
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