2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Dwell:
Don’t lose heart. Why? Because our ultimate hope is in Christ. The pain, the aches, the physical struggles of today are temporary.
The suffering of today, though it might be extremely difficult, is but a moment in light of eternity. When we consider the vastness of life and eternity with Jesus, no matter how significant the challenge you are facing today might seem, when compared to eternal glory, the struggle loses its weight.
Focus your eyes on that which is eternal, because when we look toward what we cannot see, the weight of what is in front of us is lifted.
Thought:
For the Christian who has walked with Jesus for a long time, has there ever been a time of tremendous suffering when the Lord wasn’t there to walk through it with you?
You might say, “It sure felt like He was nowhere to be found.” And I would say to you, always be suspicious of your own feelings and instead trust what is true. What is true is that He is acquainted with your grief, and He is right there with you in the fire.
“If God were small enough to be understood, he wouldn’t be big enough to be worshipped.”
God is working something far beyond what we can comprehend, and He’s doing it for the good of his children and for the majesty of His glory.
Prayer:
Lord, would You give me faith during times when it’s hard to see Your hand in a situation? I know my suffering isn’t meaningless. I desire for You to be glorified, for Your name to be exalted. Help me to endure, give me grace, and hold me close. Whether it’s due to the brokenness of sin or the pruning that will cause growth, I pray that I would hold on to Your promises. Promises like these:
“I’ll be with you to the end” (Matthew 28:20).
“I’ll never leave you. I’ll never forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
“I will work everything together for your good” (Romans 8:28).
“I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you” (Isaiah 41:10).
“In the Lord, none of your work is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
“To live is Christ; to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
“To be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
In Christ name, Amen.