Himalayan Heights: 2 Corinthians 4-5
All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.
Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 4-5
If you have time, read 2 Corinthians 4-5 again. Our focus passage is 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which has one of my favorite verses.
16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Through the Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 3-4, Luke 14:12–35, Psalm 50:11–17, Proverbs 11:15-16
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: An Eternal Weight of Glory
The last few weeks have been difficult for me, and likely for you as well. I have been doing my job for almost 15 years here in Sioux City, and for almost 40 years total. Suddenly, COVID-19 changed everything. We are sequestered in our homes and I found myself busier than I've ever been. Then, somehow, in spite of my "social distancing," I managed to contract a virus that may or may not have been "the" virus. For 10 days I was sicker than I have ever been. Stories such as this abound!
And yet, compared to the suffering of Paul described in 2 Corinthians 11, I've had a vacation on the beach. He regales the doubters and deniers in Corinth who said he wasn't a genuine apostle with all the pain he'd suffered for the cause of Christ. But in 2 Corinthians 4:17, he said something amazing, a verse that has become one of my favorites.
How did he manage such an attitude? He kept his eyes on the finish line. It was not by denying the reality of his suffering or pretending that things were not hard. It was by comparing what he was going through now with what he would be experiencing one day. His sufferings, heavy and hard in human terms, were "light and momentary" in view of eternity.
We have told people they need to live in the moment and not to be too "heavenly-minded." There is some wisdom in that, of course. But in the New Testament, it is the glory of heaven that gives meaning to the suffering of the present. It is because the full weight of heavenly glory that our current sufferings are bearable.
That is why Paul could say, in verse 16, "we do not lose heart." Life was hard but he had an eternal hope and that sustained him in the dark times. If all I had was today, it would be tough, but I have eternity to enjoy Christ.
Compared to eternity, this is nothing!
And yet, compared to the suffering of Paul described in 2 Corinthians 11, I've had a vacation on the beach. He regales the doubters and deniers in Corinth who said he wasn't a genuine apostle with all the pain he'd suffered for the cause of Christ. But in 2 Corinthians 4:17, he said something amazing, a verse that has become one of my favorites.
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (4:17)
How did he manage such an attitude? He kept his eyes on the finish line. It was not by denying the reality of his suffering or pretending that things were not hard. It was by comparing what he was going through now with what he would be experiencing one day. His sufferings, heavy and hard in human terms, were "light and momentary" in view of eternity.
We have told people they need to live in the moment and not to be too "heavenly-minded." There is some wisdom in that, of course. But in the New Testament, it is the glory of heaven that gives meaning to the suffering of the present. It is because the full weight of heavenly glory that our current sufferings are bearable.
That is why Paul could say, in verse 16, "we do not lose heart." Life was hard but he had an eternal hope and that sustained him in the dark times. If all I had was today, it would be tough, but I have eternity to enjoy Christ.
Compared to eternity, this is nothing!
Father, thank you for the joy of eternity that gives meaning and hope in these difficult days. I long for that day when the eternal weight of glory will be mine.
Think and Pray:
Are you discouraged and struggling in these difficult times?
Remember the hope you have in Christ and do not lose heart.
We live for the eternal glory of Christ!
Remember the hope you have in Christ and do not lose heart.
We live for the eternal glory of Christ!
No comments:
Post a Comment