Seeing
I truly believe I will live to see the Lord’s goodness. ~ Psalm 27:13 (NCV)
(Jesus prayed:) Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me... ~ John 17:24a (NLT)
Dear God, so much of the time we emphasize the rewards and blessings that will be ours on the day of judgment. Perhaps, though, that way of thinking keeps me from looking for the signs of your goodness and glory that become evident to all who follow Jesus. When we're staying close to Jesus we see things we would not otherwise see. I don't stick as close to you as I should and then I express frustration that your ways are so opaque -- so mysterious. Forgive my stupidity. And in spite of my wandering, I bless you for the goodness and glory that I have seen. Draw me near again. That's where I need to be. Amen.
Challenging Word
- opaque -- something that is not transparent, something you cannot see through
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
