In the message “Eternal Healing” we saw that God’s plan will often allow trials for the purpose of bringing us to a greater understanding of His glory. God’s desire is for us to turn our eyes from the things we can see and begin to trust the things which are unseen; “for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
This lesson is obviously important as we face extreme hardship, but it’s even more necessary as the trials begin to fade. The temporary things of this world (even the good wholesome things) will never satisfy the deep longing of our heart. We will always hunger for more until we place the entirety of our life firmly in the unseen hand of God – the same loving hand which holds all of creation.
Trusting in what we cannot see is the very essence of our faith; “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). We will never find true contentment and peace until we completely “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Our trust should be consistent and invade every area of our life.
If we say we trust that Jesus Christ, who “was with God in the beginning” (John 1:2), and who, “being in very nature God” (Philippians 2:6) came to die so we may live – “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7) – then we must also completely trust that “God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Saying we trust in Jesus for our eternity without trusting Him to guide and protect us during our daily walk is like trusting in the need for air while refusing to breathe. Both are a false trust and will ultimately lead to death.
Romans 8:32
“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
God loves us so much that He gave us His absolute best; “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This love assures us He will give exactly what we require to become sons and daughters who glorify His name. God will not give up on a project which cost Him the life of His Son; “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).
When we give God our life through faith in Jesus, we must also trust He will not allow the fire to get hotter than we can stand nor the load heavier than we can bear – He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Let’s trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and then focus on what is eternal as we give Him a lifetime of consistent trust.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Jan 18 Genesis 37:1-38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Psalm 16:1-11; Proverbs 3:27-32
Jan 19 Genesis 39:1-41:16; Matthew 12:46-13:23; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 3:33-35
Jan 20 Genesis 41:17-42:17; Matthew 13:24-46; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 4:1-6
Jan 21 Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:13; Psalm 18:16-34; Proverbs 4:7-10
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