Things Which Are Not Seen

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Things Which Are Not Seen

There’s the saying,  “You’ve gotta see it  to believe it.”     There is something so fabulous and awesome,  it’s just unbelievable.     No matter what anyone says,  no one can believe them.     So,  “You’ve gotta see it  to believe it.”     When you see it,  then you will know  for yourself.

There are some fabulous things  we will just have to wait  to see.     Even though  we can’t see any of it now,  we are told some marvelous things about it — and — that we need  to wait and believe.

But,  when we see nothing but problems,  troubles,  and worries all around us,  it is hard  to think about something  we cannot see  that is  beautiful,  awesome,  majestic,  and every other superlative  we can imagine.     The people in Corinth had  that very challenge.     They knew  that Paul was suffering  all sorts of hardships  in his preaching  journeys — and they,  themselves,  were facing  all sorts of trials  because they professed faith  in Jesus Christ.

To comfort his fellow Christians,  Paul wrote  in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18,

For momentary,  light affliction  is producing  for us  an eternal weight  of glory  far beyond all comparison,  while we look  not at the things  which are seen,  but at  the things which  are not seen;  for the things  which are seen  are temporal,  but  the things  which are not seen  are eternal.

All our troubles  are temporary.     Our problems  and worries  are temporary.     We see them  and feel  the utter sadness  and pain  they afflict us with.     But,  Paul calls them  “momentary, light affliction”.     None of them  will last forever.     Paul had to remember that  while he was being stoned,  whipped,  beaten,  and imprisoned.

In the midst  of his trials,  Paul looked  to the  “things which are not seen”  —  the things which  “are eternal”.      For every stone  that hit him,  Paul thought  of our Savior  and everything in heaven.     He thought  of the love of God Almighty  in sending His Son  to suffer and die  to redeem us  from all our sins.     He thought  of the glory and eternal majesty  of the LORD  on His throne,  with all His holiness,  purity,  wisdom,  power,  and love.

Paul  faced the eternal  reality  in his times  of trouble.     The temporary reality,  which can be seen and felt,  consisted of physical pains,  verbal abuse,  and people trying  to kill him.     Each one of us faces  different  temporary situations.     Whatever  our troubles  consist of,  they are temporary  and we need  to remember that.

Somehow,  all our troubles  are meant  to enable us  to grow  in the true faith,  hope  and love  of God.     As we look  to the  “things which are not seen” in our heavenly home,  we will realize God’s love  for us  in allowing these things  in our lives.     Romans 8:28  says,

And we know that God  causes  all things  to work together  for good  to those  who love God,  to those who are called  according to His purpose.

We let God work  in our lives  and keep our eyes focused  on our Savior,  who will lead us  to the eternal  “things  which are not seen.”     Then,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  all Your ways  are good and right.     Create in me  a clean heart,  O God,  and renew  a steadfast spirit  within me  as I face each day’s challenges.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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