Word of God Speak – How to Focus on the Unseen

Word of God Speak – How to Focus on the Unseen

I have been thoroughly enjoying looking at a verse a week, finding ways to memorize it and thinking about what it means to my life.

The verses I have used so far are about what God’s Word is telling me about His Word. I thought since my blog is called Growing through God’s Word, and these posts are called Word of God Speak, I would focus first on those verses that tell us directly about His Word.

Last week’s verse was found at Isaiah 40:8.

The grass withers, and flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands for ever.

That’s a promise from God. Hallelujah. God is the only enduring reality in this world.

2-Corinthians-4-17-18
What is time? Temporary while we are here. Eternal with God.

This week I am looking at 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – a longer passage, but I think it is important to learn it as a whole.

S – Say the Scripture out loud:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out weighs them. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I also read the Scripture in other Bible versions. I liked the Good News in particular because it says that what can be seen only lasts for a TIME, and what cannot be seen lasts FOREVER.

And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble.  For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.

I – Interpretation. Using dictionaries, and footnotes and commentaries find out as much as you can about when, where, how and why this was written.

When I first read it I thought, “Oh my this carries on exactly after last week’s verse – the withering and fading of things in this life and the assurance of God’s Word being eternal.

Paul is talking about our temporary bodies – compared to our eternal ones. We are treasures in jars of clay. Sometimes I know that only too well. – Joints, and muscles can ache, I forget things, I get sick etc. etc.

Here are a few extra Scriptures to read:

Psalm 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

1 Peter 1:6, 7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

2 Corinthians 5:7For we live by faith, not by sight.

Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

Hebrews 11:1Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

I liked this commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh

We Christians have this treasure in earthen vessels. If we submit to God’s discipline—expending ourselves and yielding to God in the little things day by day—we will see our conviction grow. Then, if people call us into account, we will not be worried because we know absolutely—because we have lived it. This is the kind of faith God wants us to have.

 

M – Make a list of thoughts and questions.

I was taught to believe in what I saw – and told that what I saw was real. And not to look to the spiritual. Put your faith in concrete stuff. Thus, my imagination was curtailed. Science, math were triumphed. Literature was allowed – but creating fictional characters and thinking beyond what I could see and hear – that wasn’t encouraged. Even in university my courses in anthropology confused my faith. Sociology also didn’t help. And self-help books and authors only confused me more.

Now I have come full circle. Now I have actually heard things that some would say are not real.

I listen and watch for God to speak and show me His way.

I pray for circumstances to meet people and to help them. I’ve seen miracles, I’ve seen signs.

I believe in the Holy Spirit
I believe I can hear God’s Voice
I believe in Jesus, that He died, was resurrected and lives again
I believe He will come again
I believe in the Everlasting.

I know this world is but a vapour. Kingdoms rise and fall. But God’s Word will stand forever. I will NOT be shaken.

P – Prayer time. Don’t forget to LISTEN to God’s voice. Sometimes we chatter so much we forget to listen.

L – Life Application – what did I hear from God today?

I had a good long quiet time. I just love being still before the Lord. I have been reading AW Tozer and the attributes of God in his book, The Knowledge of the Holy.

I kept hearing assurances of God’s faithfulness.

Words came: He faileth not, great is Thy faithfulness, through summer and winter seasons.

Forever He is faithful, Forever He is strong, Forever He is with us, Forever and ever.

I’m fixing my eyes on Jesus. That’s what brings hope, strength, and passion for the day.

I will live with the UNSEEN.
I will be with God
I will hold fast to His Word
God does not change.

E – Exit with a prayer

To my unfailing, forever God, I will stand on Your Word. You are forever faithful. I will study. I will memorize your Word. I will put You first. I thank You for Your unendingness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tweetable:

I know this world is but a vapour. Kingdoms rise and fall. But God’s Word will stand forever. (click to tweet)

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11 comments

  1. I love the promise and hope of this passage and the focus on the glory that awaits us as compared to the momentary suffering in this life.

  2. Yours is the second site today that confirmed our pastor’s message! We just spoke of our earthly bodies being like jars of clay. I love how The Lord teaches me! Blessings to you!

    1. Carriel,
      Isn’t it awesome how God reinforces what we need to know? I love knowing that this life isn’t all there is. There is MORE. Hurrah.
      Blessings,
      Janis

  3. Good morning, Janis! I am so happy that we are learning this verse this week — Elisabeth Elliot used to refer to it often in her teaching and writing, and it rings in my mind whenever I’m challenged with the impossible things my eyes see around me. I love the verb “fix” because it’s so purposeful — I’ve got to trust for grace to put my attention on the things that last.

I love to connect with you.

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