The Lutheran High School of Kansas City will be providing devotions for use during your daily Bible time. Today's Devotion is based on 1 Corinthians 13:2.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Hurricanes. Unemployment. Illness. Our world often feels overwhelming. We ask ourselves, “Why did this have to happen?” Paul explains to us in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that we do not see the full picture of life. Only God knows exactly what is happening and why it is happening. We must have faith in God’s plan. After all, God has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11b). Instead of spending all of our time trying to justify why we are going through certain situations, we should trust that God knows what He is doing.
The words “then we shall see face to face” are very uplifting, especially during difficult seasons of life. Seeing God face to face implies that God wants to be our friend. Exodus 33:11 affirms that “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” Just as he spoke to Moses, God wants to speak with us as friends. The title of a famous hymn is “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.” Indeed, Jesus is our truest friend who desires an ongoing relationship with us. Turning to Jesus – our Lord, Savior, and Friend – will help us face life, especially during these tough times.
Paul continues to write that “I am fully known [by God].” God knows us from top to bottom. After all, the writer of the Psalms tell us, “You [God] created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14). God made us marvelously, and He knows what we go through each day. He understands our happiness and sorrows. After all, Jesus lived a life on earth complete with both pain and joy. We should remember that God knows and loves us very much as we continue with the journey of life.
Dear God,
Right now, we only see a reflection of what life is about. We rejoice that – one day – we will understand the “big picture” and realize that you have been working in our lives each and every day. Thank you for being our true friend and for knowing us better than we know ourselves. Help us to trust in your plan and continue being loving followers of Christ on our life’s journey. Amen.
~Emily Hathhorn~