We Do Not Lose Heart

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

It is not always good when we get older that our distance vision gets better and our close up vision gets worse.

Those who have known the Lord for a long time or who have been gone through great trials seem to have a better heavenly vision than the rest of us. Their natural eyesight has gotten better and their close-up “earthly” vision is diminishing.

For now we struggle with our “eyesight.” There’s a tension between enjoying all that God has given us in this life, yet still believing all that God has given us in this life.

Keep your eyes fixed on the prize.

Our Daily Bread – July 4, 2013