Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Sunday, January 25, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 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 woke up this cold, snowy morning reviewing these passages, as well as Chapter 5. I'm not looking forward to going out in that cold, cold weather, but I am looking forward to the company of the saints. That always brings warmth in even the coldest of times.

I'm guessing we'll only be about half full. If the snow drops more within the next couple of hours, I wonder if the services will be cancelled as well. If so, I'll find another service on the internet, for this morning is set aside for worship, and I know that millions, even billions are thinking the same way I am.

Mornings like this show the transience of this life. Here it is life-destroying cold outside. All covered in snow, with no green showing. Since the sun has not yet risen, I see white snow reflecting the moonglow and streetlights. A quiet, soft, light, but coupled with weather that would be sure death to anyone who stays too long in it.

The passage ending 1 Peter 1is what first comes to mind: "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever."

And this was quoted by Peter from the Prophet Isaiah, who said it centuries before him. I went back to that passage in chapter 40 and was comforted by the verses before it. Listen:

"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

"A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places plain.

"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

"A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is as grass is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of out God will stand forever." (1-8)

And then, with 2 Corinthians 4-5 in mind, I think of Jesus saying: "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious…" "…But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:30, 33)

Light affliction preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.

I close with another passage that I thought of while thinking of the soon sunrise: "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!" (Psalm 113:3-4)

So, no matter how cold it is in this world, "we do not lose heart". It is all in His hands. And this morning, equipped with all the comfort and strength He left us in the Scriptures, coupled with the great assurance within given by the Holy Spirit, I can say with great joy:

"Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 113:1-2)

I hope you can as well.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps

Maybe memorize Psalm 113?