Eternal weight of Glory

April 29, 2020

For the past few days, I’ve been stuck in 2 Corinthians 4. Paul packed so much into this chapter that in spite of wanting to read longer sections, I keep coming back and reflecting on his insights, especially in light of all that’s been happening around the world with COVID 19. In the 16th verse, he says, “We do not lose heart.” 

When life doesn’t deliver all we had hoped, it is easy to lose heart. We pin our hopes on plans we expect will come to fruition, and when they evaporate before our eyes, we lose heart and get discouraged. Paul addresses this very issue in his words here. “We do not lose heart” is preceded by “therefore.” Years ago in college, professor Warren Woolsey often said, “When in the Bible you see a therefore, find out what it’s there for.” That single word links what is to follow with what was said previously, and previously, Paul spoke of what he called “treasure in earthen vessels,” of death working in the apostles so his readers could have life. Then he said, “All things are for your sake...that grace may abound to God’s glory.” We do not lose heart, “though the outward man is perishing,” because “the inner man is daily being renewed.”

In the days of enforced lockdown, I am seeing major constrictions of our Constitutional rights. Citing emergency powers, we are being pressed into an economy that seems on the verge of collapse, while the political thirst for power rushes in. I wonder if I am seeing the end of this great country looming, anarchy waiting in the wings, followed by totalitarianism. I know this sound apocalyptic, but it’s what I see.

But here is what is also happening: Without intending to, I’ve been losing heart, looking too much to the things seen, which Paul says, “are only temporary,” and not enough to the unseen and eternal realities of God. Paul says our “light affliction” (which when you read about his life seems anything but light) is working for us “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Note that phrase “working for us” (v. 17). God works for us through our troubles. Hear that: “God is working for us.”

Now, I have a choice; believe this, look to the glory and be encouraged, or believe only what I see and lose heart. The latter is easy; anyone can do it. Politicians and the media use what people see to promote fear, which makes people easier to manipulate. The only way to freedom is to cast off fear, and the only way to do that is to keep our eyes on the unseen eternal weight of glory through which God even now is at work in us through the present affliction. Our hearts are connected directly to our eyes. We do not lose heart when we keep our eyes on the eternal glory that far outweighs the present “light” afflictions of this world. If that doesn’t move us to praise and thanksgiving, we aren’t paying attention.