Week 40
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 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.”
Earthly things are decaying, dreadful, and observable things. Hardly a day passes in this terrestrial vale of tears but we find ourselves faced with struggles inside and out that threaten to rob us of joy, if not of hope itself. It just seems that mistakes and miscues swarm us like bees and we hardly know which one to swat. Life’s disappointments and sorrows scream at us from their manifestational perch, and we seemingly cannot ignore them.
But present earthly sorrows are not as significant as they seem. Upon closer investigation, we see chinks in the armor of life’s hardships. They may be present and obnoxiously grievous, but they are also temporary; they will not stay forever. The day will come when we will march on past these shouting calamities on our way to the city of light and delight. Visible things are temporary things; do not allow yourself to be overwrought with them. They will soon be gone.
In addition, there are two characteristics to all earthly afflictions for God’s people: 1) In comparison with the eternal glory and joy we shall receive, there is no comparison for eternal joy outweighs every trial; and 2) These earthly problems are actually working in our favor producing an “eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
If we could but see God’s magnificent plan and work in our sickness, our loss, our struggle, and our pain, then we would see these enemies in life are actually friends in disguise; they bring God’s message and ministry to us, and they bring us to God’s wisdom and comfort. The unseen eternal truths and God’s gracious gifts are much more real than the temporary visible things of this world. Even our mortal physical bodies are daily decaying, but we have a body in the resurrection that is clothed with heaven’s light and eternal life.
Dear Christian Friend, if you are facing life’s difficulties today, remember two truths that will help you. First, your earthly troubles will pass. Second, your earthly troubles are tools in God’s hands to bring about eternal and never-ending blessings and favor. The day WILL COME when you will look at today’s problem, and say, “It was nothing compared to the glory I am enjoying in heaven.” This hope is the hope that will get you through today’s misery.
Prayer: Dear Lord, no matter what I face today, help me to see the BIG PICTURE! Help me to remember that I am simply a traveler passing through this world of woe. The day will come when I will join You in heaven to know You in Your fullness and enjoy Your mercy forever. Help me now today to remember that I am passing through this period of time to the glory of timelessness and joy with You.