"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE FACING CRISIS"
2nd Cor 3:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
2nd Cor 3:18 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.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. Paul does not skirt the issue of trouble and afflictions, but he does put them into a perspective for us.
He looks at them from the perspective of time, ( what we are living in right now ) and eternity, ( where we as followers of Jesus Christ ) are headed. Let's take a look at what he says, for it's very, very comforting. We will just take these 2 verses, and break them down.
(1) 2nd Cor 3:17a For our light affliction, which is but for a moment. Or to put it another way, "For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long." One of the reasons this is true, is that out lives is found in
James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Time really does fly by doesn't it. Maybe not in the moment, in the time of your crisis, but before you know it, what you are going through will be in the past, and you will think, "wow, time has really gone by"
(2) 2nd Cor 3:17b is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Or, Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! The point here, is that this present affliction, this crisis God is allowing you to go through has a purpose. And, it's a purpose that extends beyond this life into the next. The crisis is in fact a trial, and like all trials as we respond to them according to what God says, He will use them for our benefit. Normally, it's to develop character, but here, Paul is saying that these afflictions are producing something that will meet us in heaven, in glory. They are working to produce for us immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So, this verse is connecting the dot between right now, and the eternal future awaiting you.
(3) 2nd Cor 3:18a while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. Or again, to look at it another way. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. This is telling us about faith. Faith is trusting God, and in this case, it's encouraging us to look to our hope, and to look into the eternal, to look ahead, and put the present into a greater perspective.
We are taught here about the fact that we can look at the invisible things that are eternal. We can look forward to that which we have not yet seen. So often we get stuck just looking at what is going on. It's such a blessing to step outside at night and look up at the moon, and the stars. Wow, that really gives you a new perspective on infinity, and the greatness of what God has created.
Psalm 8:3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
Psalm 8:4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?.
(4) 2nd Cor 3:18b For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
What we can see is only temporary, like the crisis, or the affliction you may be going through right now. But, the things that you cannot see ( though they exist ) are eternal. Put another way, "rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever".
Through faith, we can see the eternal as it were. And, this gives us perspective. There is more to our lives than the crisis, or the afflictions we go through here, waiting to be with the Lord. This is our hope. And, our troubles will soon be over, but the joys that are coming, they are going to last forever. So, crisis's are temporary, and the joy of eternity with Christ is forever, and forever.
(5) Here are some other verse's along this line.
Ps 16:9* Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
Ac 2:26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
Ro 5:2* through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ro 8:20* For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
Ro 12:12* rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Tit 1:2* in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
A prayer:
Father, it's so easy to forget You, and to forget eternity, and to forget the plans and the purpose, and the blessings that You have for us. We pray today, for anyone ( including ourselves ) who might be in a crisis of some sort, some affliction, and pray that the truth of these verses might bring Your perspective into their, ( our ) lives. Bless with the joy of the future. Thank You Lord. In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
