Introduction
You’ve likely experienced the symptoms of growing old: sore knees, bad back, gray hair. You’ve likely also experienced opposition, betrayal, heartache, and grief. Now some might push back and say, “I’ve never experienced any of that!” Well, let me say to you, “Just wait.” This is part of the human experience. Yet, the Christian must not lose heart.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Your troubles are real.
I don’t want to dismiss or diminish your troubles.
Some of you have recently buried a loved one. It fills your eyes with tears and your heart with sorrow.
Some of you are worn out from long-term health issues. Every day is filled with pain and pain medicine.
Some of you are heartbroken over wayward children. You long for the phone to ring and relationships to be restored.
Some of you feel the stress of a paycheck that is shorter than the month is long.
Some of you sit with the sting of gossip and betrayal.
Some of you are preaching the gospel with little effect. Your preaching of the gospel seems as effective as preaching to a stone wall or an empty chasm. Yet, even worse, you face fierce pushback from it.
Some of you sit in a cold home during a winter storm in Texas.
But your troubles are temporary.
I don’t want to dismiss or diminish your troubles. But I do want to place your troubles in the proper perspective. For the Christian, we do not lose heart.
Earlier in 2 Corinthians 4, the Apostle Paul said,
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
We do not lose heart because we have the hope that our earthly troubles will soon give way to eternal glory.
In verses 16-17 we are told, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Yes, your body is wasting away. But Your Creator and Savior renews you day by day.
Your current trouble is the best reason to lean into God like you’ve never leaned before. Right now is the time to find out once again that God is faithful to his promises. Right now is the time to find out that God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.
Yes, your troubles are real. But when weighed on the scales of eternity, they are found to be light and momentary. Yes, there are tears. Yes, there is death, morning, and pain.
But Revelation describes the day when heaven meets earth:
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:3-4
Your glory is eternal.
In verse verse 18 we are told, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Things that are seen are temporary: wealth, reputation, comfort, pleasures.
Unseen things are eternal: life beyond the grave, resurrected bodies, a heavenly dwelling place.
I’ll never forget the first meaningful spiritual conversation with my dad. I was 30 and already a handful of years into my pastoral call. My parents had attended a special service of my church and on the way to lunch my dad said, “As you know, for 34 years I put my military career above God and my family. I could be filled with regret, but I won’t. Moving forward things will be different.”
He was a man of his word. My dad has spent the final season of his life in a passionate pursuit of Jesus. He has become a mature follower of Jesus and has led dozens and dozens and dozens of other people to faith in Jesus and spiritual maturity.
Take your gaze off the seen and fix it upon the unseen. Take your gaze off your current troubles and place your gaze squarely into the eyes of the Savior who graciously provides eternal life.
Is this difficult? Yes. That’s why most don’t do it.
Is this difficult? Yes. That’s why we must be exhorted.
Is this difficult for the preacher? Yes. That’s why I must preach it and preach it to myself.
Living for the unseen leads to perseverance and eternal reward.
You can have a life-giving relationship with your Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Redeemer now that will last through eternity. Glory to God.
Conclusion
How is this possible?
Because Jesus, the sinless Savior, died for your sin.
Because Jesus, the sinless Savior, died for your sin and rose from the dead.
Because Jesus, the sinless Savior, died for your sin and rose from the dead to provide you with victory over sin and death.
May you trust in the completed and sufficient work of Jesus and reap the benefits provided to you.
Jeff Gravens 
This is one of your best. I could fill in a lot of those blanks that have happened in the last 12 months. Thanks
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Thank you for reading it. I pray you experienced the Lord’s faithfulness like never before in the last year. I’m praying the next 12 months are kinder to you.
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