TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18b ESV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• A few days ago, USA Today ran a timeline report of COVID-19. Pulling from that, the very first case of Coronavirus is believed to have happened between November / December 2019 in Wuhan, China. And the first confirmed case of Coronavirus in America was on January 21st. For months, our world and our nation have been singularly focused on a small, but mighty, viral enemy.
I’ve heard it said that COVID-19 is an invisible enemy. And I’m going to disagree. COVID-19 is not an invisible enemy. We may not be able to see it without the aid of a powerful microscope, but this virus is not invisible.
I know, I know… “Denise, you’re being too literal.” Hear me out.
We’re focused on a virus that, according to scientists, ranges between 80 to 160 nanometers in size. That means absolutely nothing to me. But according to the CDC, that is small enough that if individual viruses were lined up side by side, nearly 1,000 coronaviruses would fit across the width of an eyelash. Width. Not length. Researchers are magnifying the virus up to 40,000 in order to study it. Y’all, I can’t even wrap my head around this. But my point is the virus isn’t invisible.
Today, let’s go to 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. This passage says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
I think we can all agree this is a time of affliction. This virus may be itty bitty but it’s had a catastrophic impact on the world. We’re afflicted not only by the virus, worries about catching the virus, economic devastation, toilet paper shortage, and government regulations that are increasingly restricting our freedoms and overall way of life. The word that has been used over and over is “unprecedented.” And ain’t that the truth.
But this is temporary. It’s a seen moment of time. A seen infliction by a microscopic enemy. But the key question I have today comes from these verses: are you letting this “momentary affliction” prepare you for the unseen glory that is ahead?
We’re worried about death rates, as we all should. And so be clear when I say this—I’m not making light of this. It’s serious. Gravely serious. But we’re all going to die. Whether from Coronavirus or not, eventually, we all face death. God knows the number of our days and He knows when and how we’ll die. But physical death isn’t the end.
We are in the middle of a wake-up call! COVID-19 has been a tremendous reminder of how NOTHING is guaranteed. We cannot count on economic stability just because we have a healthy stock portfolio today. Tomorrow, the impact of a virus could wipe it out! Consider this—at the beginning of this year, just four months ago, oil prices were around $60 a barrel. COVID-19 has plummeted the price to -$37.63. Negative. That means the people who were selling oil four months ago have to pay people to take it today! Talk about unprecedented! It wasn’t that long ago that oil prices were so high that gas was averaging over $3 a gallon! This is the product that sent Jed from poverty to a mansion in Beverly Hills!
This wake-up call reminds us that everything we assume about “tomorrow is another day,” is an illusion. We are not promised anything! Nothing is secure. But beyond this life, there is hope. The only thing we can ever be 100% certain of—security in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote, “For the things that are seen are transient,” and transient means “lasting only a short time.” “But the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Wake up! Tell others! Jesus is giving the world a chance to choose Him. To re-commit our lives to Him. He alone can offer us eternal security.
As we fight a microscopic enemy and face all the ramifications that come with that enemy, let us focus on getting ready for the glory that is ahead. Jesus told us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
Today, as you pray, thank God for being in control, even as a teeny tiny enemy creates so much havoc. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you trust and to place faith over your fears. Ask Him to help you be prepared for what really matters—eternity with Jesus.
SHARING ••• Please share with others! Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. ***Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture references are from the ESV translation.
