“…while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Point of View
In a span of two days I spent time visiting with two women friends that I had known as full of vitality, creativity, industry, and lovingkindness. Yet now I found them in weakness, bruised, battered and disoriented. They are women of faith and they are bearing these afflictions with patience and courage.
It made me consider how I take for granted the good things God has given me. I live daily never thinking my strength will fail or that my health will weaken. Oh sure, someday, but not today. I assume I will have shelter, food on the table, and money in the bank to pay the bills. I wake up each morning thinking all is well and will continue to be well. And yet, in a moment’s time I could be in a debilitating accident, or get a terminal medical diagnosis, or lose everything to a chaotic wildfire. In reality, we are all frail and mortal creatures.
What sustains these women in these afflictions? It is God Himself, the eternal God of eternal promises, and the very God of our eternal hope. They have known Him across the years and found Him faithful and good. And even now, they know His presence with them. They are assured that as He has been to them in the past, He will continue to be in the present and on into the future they cannot see.
The present condition of these dear women left me with sadness and yet we have this eternal hope. Our situation on any given day is temporary. Often we find ourselves in good and blessed circumstances, but even when that is not the case, even when life as we know it involves pain, betrayal, mishap, and sudden loss, we can know these things are only temporary. It is but the shadow, not the substance. Better things are just over the horizon.
And that hope accounts for the believer’s joy even in suffering—burning hope in the goodness and grace of God that gives strength and endurance no matter the crisis. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The temporary will be swallowed up in the eternal.
There is an old song that says this world is not our home, we’re just passing through. Truly our citizenship is in heaven with the Lord who bought us. Enjoy these earthly pleasures that God in His love has poured out—but hold them loosely. They will fade soon enough. Keep your heart focused on the untold treasure that will not fade and will not fail. “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
“Father, You are the treasure we hold onto. We are grateful for Your grace and goodness. You are faithful in every circumstance. Amen.”
We live in a temporary situation. But the glory that is to be revealed will come. As do the trials of our faith. Keeping our eyes on the Lord and His Salvation helps through it all.
I love it! “The temporary will be swallowed up in the eternal.” Thank you.
Amen! He is our treasure! Thank you for the reminder of focus.
Thank you, so much for the reminder. I have been in a dark place of late, but certainly not the darkest i have ever been in, nor will be in the future i dare say, and yet….God is faithful…no matter what the circumstances look like….He is good, whether i feel good or not, and He brings Spring with new life and new possibilities after the winter seasons of our lives…praying your two ladies feel His Sonshine on them today in a miraculous way!
Yes, He is faithful in every circumstance. I have to remind myself often of it to keep focused and ultimately trust Him. I want to be submitted to His will each day to represent Him and to bring Glory to His name as much as possible. He is faithful!