Hard to Imagine by David Jeremiah

Thursday, August 16 Hard to Imagine    But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9    Moving to a new town or state, going to new schools, working at new jobs—what will it be like? Most of the time, things work out. Once we settle in, our worries subside and we get in the flow.

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 64:4-5

If moving to a new city is a big transition, what about moving from our earth to a new earth? And what about finding yourself in very difficult circumstances, wondering if things will ever change? That was Israel’s experience—under God’s judgment. Isaiah the prophet wrote first about judgment (Isaiah 1–39) and second about restoration (Isaiah 40–66). In the latter, God promised new heavens and a new earth (65:17; 66:22), telling the Jews it would be hard to even imagine what God has prepared for them (64:4-5). As that theme of blessing unfolded through Jesus the Messiah, the apostle Paul quoted Isaiah’s words in 1 Corinthians 2:9—we can’t imagine what God has prepared for us. Living in a new earth will be quite a transition, but it’s one with which we can trust God. Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence. Augustine