BTTT
May 28
Temporary Visible Things, Eternal Invisible Things
For our light affliction . . . is working for us . . . [an] eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Co_4:17-18)
Our gracious God wants to use the trials in our lives (”our light affliction”) to produce for us eternal blessings (”eternal weight of glory”).
He intends to use our daily difficulties to enlarge our spiritual capacity to experience more fully the glorious eternal realities of knowing, worshiping, and serving God forever!
The Lord desires a full, rich inheritance to await us in heaven: “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe_1:11).
—Bob Hoekstra, Day by Day by Grace.
Oh Father, Creator of all things, create is me a clean heart, and renew a right Spirit within me that I may know you, and be pleasing in your sight.
Work in me that which is according to your Good Pleasure.
Help me to be mindful of your Holiness and your Worthiness to be worshiped and feared.
Amen.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/f/afflictt.htm
Afflictions, though they seem severe;
In mercy oft are sent;
They stopped the prodigal’s career,
And forced him to repent.
Although he no relentings felt
Till he had spent his store;
His stubborn heart began to melt
When famine pinched him sore.
“What have I gained by sin, he said,
But hunger, shame, and fear;
My father’s house abounds with bread,
While I am starving here.
I’ll go, and tell him all I’ve done,
And fall before his face
Unworthy to be called his son,
I’ll seek a servant’s place.”
His father saw him coming back,
He saw, and ran, and smiled;
And threw his arms around the neck
Of his rebellious child.
“Father, I’ve sinned—but O forgive!”
I’ve heard enough, he said,
Rejoice my house, my son’s alive,
For whom I mourned as dead.
Now let the fatted calf be slain,
And spread the news around;
My son was dead, but lives again,
Was lost, but now is found.
’Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,
To call poor sinners home;
More than a father’s love He feels,
And welcomes all that come.
—John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779