Go! And Trust What You Cannot Yet See Series

Go! And Trust What You Cannot Yet See

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We thank You that we are not left to wander in darkness, for You have given us Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Today, help us to see—not just with physical eyes, but with eyes of faith. Teach us to trust in what we cannot yet see, and anchor our hope in the eternal promises of God. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT): "Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely."

John 16:33 (NLT): “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 43:7 (NLT): "Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them."

Introduction: The Fog of the Present, the Clarity of Eternity

Have you ever tried to put together a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box? That’s what life often feels like. We see pieces, scattered moments, events, and emotions—some bright and beautiful, others dark and painful—and we wonder how they fit together.

Paul says it best: “Now we see things imperfectly.” And yet, Jesus says: “Take heart, I have overcome the world.”

And God declares: “I created you for my glory.”

This morning, let’s explore these powerful truths together. Let’s answer this call:

Go! And Trust What You Cannot Yet See.

Point 1: Now We See in Part—But God Sees the Whole

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:12 remind us that our understanding is limited.

In Corinth, mirrors were made of polished metal—bronze or copper—not the glass mirrors we have today. The reflection was imperfect. Paul uses that imagery to describe our current grasp of spiritual truths.

The Greek phrase “di’ esoptrou en ainigmati” literally means “through a mirror, in a riddle.” The Apostle is highlighting the mystery of faith—that now we live with partial sight, but a day is coming when we shall see face to face.

Job 19:25–27 (NLT): "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last... I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes."

Even Job, in his suffering, trusted in a future clarity.

Tim Keller wrote: "If you don't trust God's hand, you must trust His heart. Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness."

I love Keller’s perspective. It reminds us that even when the road is foggy, the heart of God is faithful. God’s character does not change based on our clarity.

Point 2: Trials Will Come—But Christ Has Overcome

Jesus doesn't sugar-coat reality. He tells His disciples in John 16:33 that trials are inevitable—but His peace is available.

The word “thlipsis” in Greek means “pressure, affliction, tribulation.” It’s not soft suffering. It’s real, weighty, soul-crushing pressure.

But Jesus says: “Take heart”—Greek: “tharseite”—meaning “be courageous,” “be bold,” “be full of hope.”

Romans 8:18 (NLT): "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later."

That’s not to minimise pain—it’s to magnify future glory. Christ doesn’t promise a life free of sorrow—He promises victory through it.

Max Lucado wrote: "God never said the journey would be easy, but He did say the arrival would be worthwhile."

And beloved, what a glorious arrival it will be—when we see Jesus face to face.

Point 3: You Were Made for His Glory

Isaiah 43:7 gives us identity and purpose.

“I have made them for my glory.”

The Hebrew word for “glory” is ??????? (kabod)—it carries the weight of honour, splendor, significance. You were created to reflect the weighty beauty of God's character.

You are not an accident. You are not forgotten. You are not worthless. You were made by God, for God, to glorify God.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

John Piper wrote: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

When we live for God's glory, even the painful, confusing, foggy parts of life begin to take shape in His divine masterpiece.

The Backside of the Tapestry

Corrie ten Boom once shared an image of God’s plan as a tapestry. On the underside are knots, tangles, and threads that make no sense. But from God’s side—the top—it’s a stunning picture. We only see the underside now. But when we see Jesus face to face, we’ll see what He was weaving all along.