However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love Him…” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
God of all the ages, You have demonstrated Your power and Your sovereignty throughout history. You have shown that You fulfil every promise and that You honor every word You declare—great is Your faithfulness.
As we walk through the valleys and mountains of this human life, what comfort and encouragement You give us through Your precious promises! We know that many ridicule, and scoff at the hope You have given us, calling it "a crutch" or "pie in the sky." But "those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You" (Psalm 9:10).
You have given us an assurance of the things You have prepared for us—the riches of our inheritance in Christ. As the songwriter expresses it, "Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!"
Lord, let Your hope and purpose fill us, so we are not consumed by the temporal—good or bad. Turn [our] eyes away from worthless things; preserve [our] life according to your word" (Psalm 119:37). Center us in seasons of prosperity, help us in seasons of pain.
Even in the midst of struggle, help us to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23). You have promised that "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
We confess to you Lord, how hard it is hard for us to see our distresses as "light and momentary," yet we know that You are the omnipotent God who sees beyond the mist, the vapor of this human existence—into the infinite vastness of eternity.
Help us to actively believe. Change our perspective. Shift our focus. Help us to look beyond the temporal pain or pleasure of this life. Turn our eyes and our hearts toward You. Give us faith, strength and endurance.
“I pray that the eyes of [our] heart may be enlightened in order that [we] may know the hope to which [You have] called [us], the riches of [Your] glorious inheritance in [Your] holy people…” (Ephesians 1:18)
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