Seeing the Unseen

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ 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 4:17-18

A worldview founded by faith in God and His word provides a lens that enables us to see beneath and beyond the surface of what is seen.  Everything we see, read and experience can become opportunities for God to teach us more of Himself, how we ought to live and illustrate the truth of His word.  The one focused on their own present pain and suffering can often think of little else, yet the child of God who suffers can know he does so according to the will of God who is good and causes all things to work together for good.  Thus praise, gratitude and thanksgiving illuminate our hearts and fill our mouths rather than self-pity or frustration.

Paul realised in light of all God has provided for us--forgiveness, atonement, salvation, fellowship, righteousness, purpose and on--even the most severe afflictions are light by comparison.  Not only that, but he understood they fulfilled a practical function in working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  It is only by eyes of faith fixed upon Jesus Christ we can see spiritual and enduring realities our physical eyes cannot see that make present pains of small consequence.  Knowing what Jesus accomplished when He suffered for our redemption means our suffering God allows is never in vain.  Everything we can see is temporary, for this world is passing away.  The things which are not seen with our physical eyes (yet with eyes of faith are seen, comprehended and received) are eternal.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."  Paul was thankful the Thessalonians received the word of God from him and other believers as the word of God:  the authoritative, accurate, divine revelation of God His people ought to heed and obey.  The word of God effectively works in those who believe in Jesus Christ, and one of these ways is how God gives awareness and insight to apply God's wisdom to ordinary activities.  In his book The Bible and the Newspaper, C.H. Spurgeon demonstrated how we can find emblems, parallels, parables and analogies all around us that illustrate the truth of scripture.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, God's word works in a child of God to provide ability to see the unseen, the eternal realities God has made known to us by his grace.

Spurgeon quoted John Newton as saying, "I read the newspaper that I may see how my heavenly Father governs the world."  This insight into God and His ways could only be obtained by John Newton after first being born again by faith in Jesus and being well-versed in God's word.  The things we see are not our primary focus because they are passing away, for we look to our LORD Jesus and consider Him who suffered for our sakes.  We can rejoice with exceeding joy because the light affliction we suffer is working for us and His word is effectively working in us presently for eternal good and His glory.