"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:18 (NIV)

The experiences of this life are often painful and perplexing to us. Yet, sometimes life holds good times for us. Paul tells us in this text that all which surrounds us in this life is fleeting...here today, gone tomorrow. We should not be seduced by the latter or discouraged by the former. By contrast, here is an unseen reality that is eternal and unperishable. Praise God that He has placed before us a hope for the future. He has promised us that blessed inheritance. The scriptures are full of promises of that glorious inheritance that will be ours someday. An inheritance which will be unending, eternal! What an awesome promise, that we might see Him face to face and be joint-heirs with the Son of the Eternal God! When the going gets tough, remember what He has promised us. When life is good, don’t let it steal you away from your future hope. Keep that hope ever before your eyes and let it motivate you to serve the Lord more fully. The Psalmists stated long ago, that, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) May what David realized centuries ago, and Paul reminded the Corinthians centuries later, fill us with hope. Let us look up and away from this present darkness that we might see the brightness of the glory that awaits us!

Father, help us to never lose sight of our inheritance. This world is fleeting and all that is in it. Help us to remember that and not waste our time in the pursuit of frivolity. Help us to put our energies into the eternal, for that is the only place where our efforts will make a difference. Fix our eyes on Jesus and our eternal home. Amen