“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. …”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The whole of chapter 4 needs to be printed on here. Please read it to be well read and secure about what I am saying. The chapter is amazing. Paul is facing the outcome of his ministry to God, which is causing him much personal distress. This is always the case. Serving God truly, is going to cost you dearly, but nothing will defer you and your heaven Father will reward you. There is nothing better than His closeness and to know His strength and coaching in your life. To put all on the altar, is the only way to experience this power and close personal walk with your precious Lord Jesus.

These two verses, 17 and 18 are at the end of the chapter. What verses they are! What amazing insight Paul has to the grace of God and the minuscule effect his many and varied troubles would have on his eternal destination and state. However huge your troubles are, they are only “ light” compared to what is ahead for you, in Christ. They only heap up great thing for you in that eternal kingdom that is coming. This is your treasure that is being kept for you in the vaults of heaven.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21

This hidden treasure trove is your service for the Lord Jesus, and you will not go unrewarding. But it is not physical or unworthy. It is the joy of knowing that we serve him only and He is blessed through what we do. To see His blessed face and the prints of the nails will be enough for the true heart. Craven rewards are never enough. We count all things loss for the sake of knowing Him, who we love.

“But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Philippians 3:7-11

The physical is never enough. The craven promise of restitution is never enough. Only the presence of Christ and the outworking of His love and power in our lives, will ever make any difference to the Christian. The words here, are dread. Who can say them or read them without a quiver? It will cost you everything to follow Christ, and this we must do, for there is no other way.

The way ahead may be fraught with difficulties and problems, but we have our dear Saviour with us, and He will never leave us or forsake us. Courage, Christian women and men… the end is in sight. Christ is coming soon and we are ready for Him. All on the altar, every day, living lives of service and peace, showing others the way ahead and turning many daughters and sons to glory. This is the destiny of all those who believe.