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- Oct 26, 2007
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Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward [man] is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] 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. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV
When Isaiah wrote, “The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen,’ “his words encouraged the Old Testament believers (Isaiah 14:24).
Like Paul, Isaiah knew the discouragements that God’s people face. The “wasting away” and “momentary troubles” make it easy to lose heart, to focus on what is “temporary”—the here and now. When you’re discouraged or hurting, it’s tempting to resort to human control, to trust human methods. This is partly why psalmist wrote, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save” (146:3). Every time you trust only human beings and human methods, you diminish future blessing.
God’s plans are unshakable. The troubles you experience serving Him always produce “an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Remembering this truth can change the way you live and love, and it can encourage you to pray before you plan.
Prayer: Father, when I’m discouraged and begin to trust human methods, help me to remember that only Your approved plans happen.
When Isaiah wrote, “The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen,’ “his words encouraged the Old Testament believers (Isaiah 14:24).
Like Paul, Isaiah knew the discouragements that God’s people face. The “wasting away” and “momentary troubles” make it easy to lose heart, to focus on what is “temporary”—the here and now. When you’re discouraged or hurting, it’s tempting to resort to human control, to trust human methods. This is partly why psalmist wrote, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save” (146:3). Every time you trust only human beings and human methods, you diminish future blessing.
God’s plans are unshakable. The troubles you experience serving Him always produce “an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Remembering this truth can change the way you live and love, and it can encourage you to pray before you plan.
Prayer: Father, when I’m discouraged and begin to trust human methods, help me to remember that only Your approved plans happen.
