PREPARATION: lighting the candle and readying myself to listen.
REFLECTION:
But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’ – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:7-10a
Do you ever wonder why God created you, why He put you here at this time and place? What is God’s purpose for your life? Today’s scripture tells us. It gives us the big picture, the God’s-eye-view of why you are here.
In this scripture God takes us into His confidence, letting us in on that which is “God’s wisdom, secret and hidden.” Here we learn something that we will never learn from the world’s wisdom, from academia, media, Hollywood or opinion polls. This is God’s wisdom revealed to us: “God decreed the ages for our glory.” It is “for our glory” that the ages unfold, bringing us Immanuel, God is with us!
Here is something more wonderful, more astonishing than anyone could imagine: God will make us “joint-heirs with Christ” and “glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17). We “are called to his eternal glory in Christ” (1 Peter 5:10). This is God’s eternal purpose for you and me, “that which God decreed before the ages FOR OUR GLORY.” Today, through Immanuel, we share in the love of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “Christ takes what is ours and gives us what is his…Christ assumes our place and gives us his place.” (Gerit Dawson, A Passion for Christ: A Vision that Ignites Ministry)
In today’s scripture Paul understands that he writes about something far beyond our comprehension or imagination. Thus, Paul seeks to explain by paraphrasing prophecies of Isaiah: “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’” (Isaiah 64:4; 65:17).
We read this breathtaking revelation of God’s wisdom for us and perhaps think that Paul is talking about the glory awaiting us in heaven. But “Paul is not thinking so much of the heavenly glory as of the magnificence of blessing, undreamed of in former ages, which comes already to believers.” (William Robertson Nicoll, Expositors Greek Testament) Then, as Bible commentator Adam Clarke emphasizes: “These words have been applied to the state of glory in a future world; but certainly, they belong to the present state.” (Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Whole Bible)
Paul explains that the glorious things God has prepared for us to experience now, “have been revealed to us through the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit longs to reveal more and more of our riches through Jesus Immanuel. He waits for us to pray and seek for them.
CONVERSATION: I talk with God about the thoughts and feelings stirring within.
REST: I take time to be present to Immanuel who is present to me.
