"Renewed Inwardly, Focused Eternally"

January 31, 2025 Daily Devotion: "Renewed Inwardly, Focused Eternally"   2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New Living Translation   16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 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! 18 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. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV), Paul encourages us to not lose heart even in the face of trials. He writes, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Paul emphasizes the contrast between our temporary struggles and the eternal glory awaiting believers. He reminds us that while our physical bodies may decline, our spirits are rejuvenated through Christ. This passage encourages us to shift our focus from earthly troubles to the eternal promises of God, reinforcing our faith in times of hardship. In practical life, think of an athlete enduring training. The struggles of discipline and fatigue are momentary, but the glory of victory and accomplishment is lasting. Similarly, our earthly challenges are preparing us for a much greater reality in heaven. Let us pray for strength to endure and a heart that seeks the eternal.