1 Corinthians 2:6-12 (NIV) 6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for it they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—10these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
They didn’t understand. In today’s vernacular language, they just didn’t “get it.” Paul preached the gospel message clearly. But the Jewish rulers of the day were offended, and the Gentiles thought it was nonsense. Only mature believers understood the mystery of God—something that God planned even before time began. A world full of sin would need a Savior, Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection of Jesus would be the only means of salvation that would lead to eternal glory. And for those who choose to believe comes a precious promise:
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. (v. 9, NLT)
No one can fully understand how glorious the new Kingdom of God will be. Perhaps the words of an old hymn describe it best: A Foretaste of Glory, C.O. Farnham,1926
When we look for Christ to come in the old time way, And accept the good old Bible, all it’s truths obey; when by faith we view the Kingdom, that so soon shall come to stay, Then we’ll surely have a foretaste of glory.
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
We lift our grateful hearts in thanksgiving for your wonderful plan of Salvation which will lead to eternal glory with You.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion Foretaste of Glory was originally written for Friday, January 6, 2017; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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