Verse of the Day 7/16

Verse of the Day 7/16

2 Corinthians 5:7-8

English Standard Version

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Today's verses and passage take on different meaning when going through grief and the loss of a loved one. The "groans" (verse 2 below) that we experience in our bodies, whether our own suffering of that of losing another is hard to bear. But bear we must. What does bring comfort is knowing that those who have departed are now with the Lord where someday we will be joining them and all Christians who have gone before us.

We are called to lean on Him, trust in Him.  It is a process and each moment we have an opportunity to trust God. George Seevers writes that "contentment is embracing the providence of God."

I know that I have quoted this song recently, but the words fit with the verse and with my heart this morning.  At a time when I perhaps question most the wisdom of God's plan, I still must trust Him and believe in Him and walk by faith in the power He provides.

And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father smile and say 'well done.'
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now your home
And now your free

And we can cry with hope
We can say good-bye with hope
'Cause we know our good-bye is not the end
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

Blessings,

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 5:1-10

English Standard Version

Our Heavenly Dwelling

5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on[a] we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.