READ: Isaiah 27,28; Psalms 76; 2 Corinthians 4
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 4: 17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that
far outweighs them all.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is
seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
OBSERVATION: Sometimes,
we hear people saying with exasperation that you would understand my sufferings
and pain only when you experience them. We may wonder why good Christians suffer.
There are divergent views and teachings about suffering and prosperity among
Christians. Here, Paul says his troubles are “light and momentary troubles.” It
doesn’t mean that Paul never went through severe difficulties and suffering in
his life and ministry. The Book of Acts and Pauline epistles tell us a lot about
the sufferings he endured in different places. We cannot say that Paul lived a
high-profile comfortable life just because he was a famous and educated
apostle. It is easy for an adult to carry a 10-kilo rice bag, but a one-year-old
child would find it difficult even to move it. Likewise, when Paul saw his
suffering in light of eternal glory, he
was able to say that they are “light and momentary troubles.” Paul says his “present
sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed”
(Rom.8:18). We may have long-lasting problems and struggles in our lives. Let
us remember that they are not everlasting ones. Our life on this earth is so
short as compared to our eternal life. Therefore,
as Apostle Peter encourages, “if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,
but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16).
Secondly, Paul says that he fixes his
eyes on unseen and eternal things. He considers “what is seen is temporary.” People,
in general, have practical difficulty in believing and seeing unseen and
invisible things. In Rom.8:24, Paul says, “But hope that is seen is no hope at
all. Who hopes for what they already have?” The Bible defines “faith is
confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”
(Heb.11:1). In Col.3:1-2, Paul encourages us to set our hearts and minds “not
on earthly things” but on things above
“where Christ is.” We need to fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb.12:1). When we have a
clear spiritual perspective of looking at things, we will not “lose heart.” When we look at Jesus, we learn to see things correctly,
with eternity in view.
APPLICATION: I may have troubles
and suffering because of my Christian faith. But, they are light compared to
the glory I will receive in heaven; they are momentary compared to my eternal
life. All that I see on this earth and everything in it will be destroyed. But
Jesus promised to give me eternal life. So, I will live for eternity.
PRAYER: Eternal God, thank
you for the promise of eternal life. Holy Spirit, help me set my eyes on things
above where Jesus sits next to the Father and give me your strength to live
accordingly. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day - 258
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