The Secret to Not Losing Heart - Pt 4

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as 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. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV).

I collect comics. Both those developed through Action Comics and DC. One of the endearing series is that of The Justice League of America. The other that features a group of superheroes is The Avengers. Both are favorites of mine. The storyline is very familiar. There is some global threat that only this group of heroes can overcome. A climactic scene always shows the great battle fought to save humanity. As Christians we have the real story of the Savior of humanity at the heart of our faith. Yet we are often tempted to be discouraged in the face of suffering. So, let’s conclude this little series of devotionals with an example from the New Testament dealing with that very issue. Look at the death of John the Baptist. From one perspective it is one of the most tragic stories in the Bible. We find him in prison simply because he publicly said that it was not lawful for King Herod to have his brother’s wife, Herodias. He sits in jail, wondering, is this how the kingdom is supposed to come? Herod throws a birthday party for himself. And for a little sexual bonus for the guests he has his step daughter dance. She was so pleasing that Herod promised whatever she wanted as a gift. She consults with Herodias her mother, who hates John the Baptist, and says, “The gift I want is the head of John the Baptist on a platter” (cf. Matthew 14:8). And in two simple verses, it is done. Imagine the thought going through his mind. He is sitting there in prison hoping for release to continue his ministry and his life. The door swings open, and there are two men, one with a sword. Then the executioner says, “Come over here and kneel. If you struggle, we will bind you.” “Why? What’s going on? What happened?” “They liked the king’s daughter’s dance, and she asked for your head.” And the last thing John is left thinking as his short life ends is: “A dance? A dance? My life for dance?” And everything in us wants to cry out against the seeming meaningless nature this act. Except for one thing: we have looked to the unseen. This seemingly irrational, pointless, meaningless murder of a great man is producing for him an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. It was not meaningless. At that moment eternity changed. A special, particular weight of glory was forged for John the Baptist forever. And so it will be for you. Therefore, do not lose heart. Look at this unseen, eternal weight of glory day by day, and be renewed!