Verse of the Day 7/30

2 Corinthians 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's verse comes from a passage in 2 Corinthians perhaps better known for Paul's statement if verse 16 of "the eternal weight of glory".  The passage calls for us to look beyond the hear and now which are "transient", will pass away and to focus on the things that don't, God and His kingdom.

Where do we find or go to find these unseen things?  In God's Word, the Bible.  John Piper writes, "We "look" at these unseen things through the gospel. We strengthen our hearts — we renew our courage — by fixing our gaze on the invisible, objective truth that we see in the testimony of those who saw Christ face to face."

The Greek word for glory refers to a heavy mass.  God's weight, His glories outweighs everything else.  All of the earths things are transient, they are lightweights in comparison with God.  Knowing God and having an eternal relationship  with Him outweighs all of the other concerns in this life.

Jame Montgomery Boice  writes, "What God does with us in detail is not revealed in Scripture. It is one of the secret things that belong to God only. But that does not mean the painful path he calls you to walk has no purpose. It is how you conduct yourself in such 'wasting times' that is the stuff of victory.

Set an example for us by lifting your eyes from what is material and tangible and passing away, and point us to him who is invisible and who does everything well. Show us how light and momentary these earthly troubles are. We need to know that. Show us how they are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

May we have the attitude of Paul in the challenges that we face today and be able to say, "we're not giving up.  How could we?" (The Message)  These challenges will pass and we will see  the glory of God that far outweighs everything else.

Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving
To Thyself, and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving
Promised joys with Thee.

Then we shall be where we would be,
Then we shall be what we should be,
Things that are not now, nor could be,
Soon shall be our own.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

2 Corinthians 4:16-18The Message (MSG)

^16-18 So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.