For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
I was walking my dog Grizzly this week early in the morning, and I was shocked at the strength of the wind. It pushed against us constantly, blowing between 20 and 25 mph. The wind flapped Grizzly ears and whipped my hair in all directions. In the quiet of the morning during our walk, I reflected on how the qualities of the wind remind me of the presence of God and also my faith in Him.
The wind that morning was powerful, physical, and constantly present. I could not see it but there was no doubt that the wind was real. I contemplated how the force of the wind had the potential to be gentle and soothing as in the light breezes that flow off the ocean water, or the wind that tickles the stalks in the fields of corn, or the breezes that brush through our yards and playgrounds. It soothes us from the heat of a summer day on the beach, or at a ball field, or when we are working in our yard. Yet it can also be very violent and destructive to everything in its path such as in a tornado. Either way, the effects of the unseen wind are evident. Just as the effects of our unseen God are evident.
David wrote in the Psalms 34:17-18…
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
and also in the book of Matthew 11:28-30…
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
We have proof in the stories of the Bible and in our own lives where God’s presence may feel like a gentle breeze or a violent gust of the wind, at different times. Jesus shows His gentle side in His compassion and care for the sinners, the lost, and the hurting. He also shows His might in the correction we experience through the consequences of our actions. Yet this correction is meant to remind us of our need for Him. He desires a loving relationship with us and for us to turn our lives back to him in faith and trust… not to harm us and turn us away. His correction is similar, yet even more pure, than a parent correcting and disciplining their child in the hopes that they will stop their harmful behavior. God is good. He loves us. He wants the best for us and His kingdom!
I have felt God’s presence in the midst of my troubles. My obstacles may not go away but they also will not last forever. If left on my own, I would more likely be freaking out and obsessed with myself and my issues. However, the peace and strength that I feel in the midst of my trials come from the Lord. And when I fix my gaze on the Lord, I experience renewed hope and faith in the unseen God and my eternal future with Him.
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
I am so thankful that the God promises me that He will stand with me through my trials, and He offers me the gifts of the Holy Spirit in me…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
God may not be visible to my human eyes, but just like the wind, He is real, present and powerful. His promises are ETERNAL. His will is FINAL. And His glory, love , mercy, and grace are INFINITE! Praise God. He is calling us to His kingdom and His forgiveness. He promises forgiveness and a home in eternity with Him. Let’s take hold of it and be free of our bondage to the world.
PRAYER:
Abba, Father. You are my Father, my Creator, and my Savior. You are powerful and present. Just as the wind is invisible yet present, so are you unseen to my human eyes yet present in my life. You offer us grace, love beyond our understanding, mercy, and forgiveness. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on our behalf and our home with you in eternity. Amen.
QUESTIONS / IDEAS TO PONDER:
- How have you “seen” the unseen God move in your life?
- Write out Matthew 11:28-30. Read through it a few times. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think this word or phrase is important to you at this time in your life?
Hugs & blessings,
Stacy
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