Part 8 God’s Word in Times Like These
But one day the veil will be lifted; earth and heaven will be one; Jesus will be personally present, and every knee shall bow at his name; creation will be renewed; the dead will be raised; and God’s new world will at last be in place, full of new prospects and possibilities.
N.T. Wright, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense
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Seeing the Invisible
16 Therefore we (A)do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is (B)being renewed day by day. 17 For (C)our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 (D)while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Sharing
We hear a lot about the fact that, just because we cannot see something, it does not mean it is not there. Take the coronavirus, for instance! It is invisible, yet it is alive and all around us.
The Bible says that the righteous shall live by faith! Today take time to focus on the things that are not seen.
Too often in our lives even us Christians, the cares of this world, the pain, suffering, persecution, struggles, uncertainties, etc can cause us to grow weary in doing what God commands and expects of us.
Apostle Paul is not trying to downplay the reality of pain and suffering but what He is saying to us is “yes” pain and suffering is real if viewed from an earthly perspective and at times may seem more than we can endure – but when viewed from the lense of eternity by faith through the Word of God – we will see that they are only temporary.
The spiritual/mental goal today is not to view your pain and suffering as it if is does not exist, but for us to compare our temporary earthly suffering to God’s heavenly glory that will be revealed in us when Christ returns. For it is that place where we will all be strengthened.
Our view of life is our determining factor in whether or not we continue on in the struggle or give up and quit.
Does following Christ makes us immune from the test, struggles and sufferings of life? No! Jesus reminds us in John 16:33- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”.
Now is the time to seek God through His Word for He promises to keep you in perfect peace – if you keep your focus on Him.
Faith or fear? God’s view or your view? God’s way or your way?
Life on earth is short and temporary. If we lived 100 years, what are they in comparison to eternity?
It’s time to put on the lense of faith if we want to survive these uncertain perilous times in which we live.
Action
Make a list of all the things that are distracting you today or worries that are keeping you up at night. Pray over these things and cast them onto Abba Father who tells us to let go of those worries and commit them to Him because he loves and cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Now make a list of anything that is a “thorn on your side” – a stronghold of sin that you may be struggling with and has been hanging over you. Now get on your knees and ask God to forgive you by the blood of Jesus, and to release you of those sins, as you forgive everyone who has also sinned against you.
Now make a list of all the blessings that God has placed in your life. Put the list on the fridge or on your mirror. Thank Him and give Him praise for all these things.
And finally meditate on God’s gift of Salvation. Go back and read your favorite gospel of Jesus Christ (Mathew, Mark, Luke or John). Think of the heavenly gifts we have in store for us, and how this life is but a few handbreadths,.. all mankind stands as a mere breath! (Psalm 39:5)
Prayer
Lord, although we cannot see you, we trust you today. We confess all our sins, and claim the gift of salvation you have given to us freely. Help us to focus not on our circumstances but on living according to your word, so we can have eternal life with you. Amen
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