2 Corinthians 4:18 – “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.”

The Christian life is lived looking forward. Ahead of us lies the crown; onward is our goal. Faith fixes its eyes not on what is passing, but on what is promised.

When we look to the unseen, we see sin finally destroyed. Our hearts are made whole. Our souls are fitted for the inheritance of the saints in light. We see death crossed, the grave defeated, and the city of God before us. We see ourselves welcomed through the gates of glory—not by our strength, but by the hand of Christ. He crowns His redeemed, gathers them into His arms, and seats them with Himself in triumph.

This future light scatters present darkness. Heaven’s joy will more than repay earth’s sorrow. Death is but a narrow stream; eternity stretches endlessly before us. The journey is short, our home is near.

Lift your eyes.

What is unseen is eternal—and it is ours in Christ.

“When the world my heart is rending

With its heaviest storm of care,

My glad thoughts to heaven ascending,

Find a refuge from despair.

Faith’s bright vision shall sustain me

Till life’s pilgrimage is past;

Fears may vex and troubles pain me,

I shall reach my home at last.”

• Adapted from Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening. Morning reading for January 29th.