Even Though

By: Wendy Sanders

Saturday, July 20, 2024

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

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. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

This summer, we spent our family vacation traveling to see the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter. There is so much I could say about what we read and experienced, but I keep coming back to being in awe of the faith Noah and his family had. Noah was truly pressed on every side by persecution, but it didn't crush his spirit. I'm sure he was perplexed on how to carry out what God asked him to do, but he wasn't in despair. For sure, Noah’s family encountered difficulties and persecution, but not once did God abandon them. He was struck down many times with emotions and fatigue, but it didn't destroy him.

But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark – you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives to you. Genesis 6:18

What the world threw at Noah didn't matter because he was renewed by remembering God's promises. A covenant promise that his family would be safe and saved was good enough for Noah to say "Yes, I believe, and I'll obey." Even though he didn’t understand exactly how it would all work, he moved forward mightily in faith, day in and day out. Noah didn’t fix his eyes on the temporary, his gaze was fixed on unseen, eternal things. Lord, help our faith be as strong as Noah’s was today and every day!

Even though you can’t see the future, don't lose heart. Like Noah, hold close to the Word of God and His promises. Remember, all our troubles are temporary, especially in light of eternity!