Reading Through The Bible: Number 42
A different Scripture this morning!
I puzzled silently for years over the meaning of a particular verse of Scripture that is often used to encourage faithfulness amongst God’s people. The verse I refer to is 1 Corinthians 2:9. The thought that is often expressed in relation to this verse is this: “God has wonderful plans to bless you in His Heavenly home. Be faithful! Hold on! It’s all going to be worthwhile! Just wait and see!”
The verse says: “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
I certainly can’t imagine the glories of heaven, let alone get my head around eternity! Everything here has an ending! And every beautiful thing that God created to bring joy to the human family has been so sadly affected by sin and death. And so I do look forward to the coming of Jesus that will mark the end of sin and sadness for those who love Him. I have tried to imagine what that will be like, but I can’t!
So, what caused me to wonder and feel uneasy about this heavenly application to the verse, when that application is obviously legitimate? Just this, the very next verse makes it very clear that what is being spoken of here CAN be seen and understood by Christians! Listen to 1 Corinthians 2:10!
“But God HAS revealed them to us through His Spirit…”
I thought about this again in the early hours one morning and the Spirit of God seemed to be saying to me: “Write it down. Write it down! Help the people see what I mean!”
I feel it necessary to repeat some of the words that Paul used to introduce this subject to the saints in Corinth:
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God … I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:1, and 3-5 And I say: AMEN brother Paul AMEN!
So here’s my little poem for your contemplation:
EYE HAS NOT SEEN!
What is it that man can’t see at all? What is it that he can’t hear?
What is it that’s not even entered his heart? How can we make it clear?
First, we must settle this point in our mind before we press ahead
The man who cannot see or hear is the man still spiritually dead
He’s a man who hasn’t placed his will, under the will of God
So as he watches a friend’s life transform, he thinks it all very odd
That a life can be changed so dramatically right within his view
As a sinful friend he’s known for years, becomes a man, made new
His anxious friend now lives at peace and his cursing is all long gone
The smell of beer is gone from his breath and on his lips, there’s a song
The scowl he always wore before, when things didn’t go his way
Has now become a smile serene, as he walks with Jesus each day
But God’s people know only too well, how the changes took place
For they too have felt the life-changing touch, of His amazing grace
For though great is the shame that a man feels through sin
Greater by far the joy of the presence of Jesus within!
So there’s the mystery unravelled you see; is it clear to you now?
The things he can’t see or hear; those things that wrinkle his brow
Are the joys that come to everyone, who bows down low at the cross
Then lives in the presence of Jesus, safe now, from eternal loss
Barry Satchell