UNSEEN

Acouple of years ago there was a rare phenomenon called a supermoon. The moon’s orbit reached its closest point to the earth in over sixty years, so it looked much bigger and brighter than usual. But as per usual, it was cloudy where I live that day. Although I saw photos from friends in other places, when I looked up, I just had to trust that it was there somewhere, hiding behind the clouds.

The apostle Paul taught the church at Corinth something similar. Even though they were surrounded by difficulties and persecution, he told them to focus firstly on what is unseen, because that is what will last forever. He said their “momentary troubles” achieve “an eternal glory” (2 CORINTHIANS 4:17). So they could fix their eyes “not on what is seen, but on what is unseen” because what is seen will soon fade, but what is unseen will never end (V.18). Paul wanted to see the people in Corinth grow in their trust of God, no matter what they were facing. They might not be able to see Him, but they could believe He was with them and looking after them day by day (V.16).

When I looked at the clouds that day I thought about how God is unseen, yet always with us. And I hoped the next time I was tempted to believe that God was far from me, I would fix my eyes on what is unseen.

To pray about . . .

God, sometimes I feel like You’re far from me. Help me to believe the truth that You are always near, whether I feel Your presence or not.