We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight
There are seasons in life when we become acutely aware that our bodies are not built to last forever. Illness, exhaustion, grief, aging, chronic pain, disappointment, and loss all remind us that life in this world is fragile. 2 Corinthians 5 captures this reality by describing our earthly bodies as a tent—temporary, vulnerable, and easily worn out by the elements.
Most of us understand the limitations of a tent. It may provide shelter for a time, but it was never intended to be a permanent home. It leaves us more vulnerable to things around us. The ground beneath it is hard. Storms shake it. Heat penetrates it. Over time, the fabric stretches and weakens. Paul says our earthly bodies are much the same. We groan under the weight of living in a fallen world. Yet this passage is not meant to leave us discouraged. It is filled with hope, in an eternal, heavenly home superior to our temporary, earthly bodies.
When our earthly tent is finally taken down, we have something infinitely better awaiting us: “a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (v.1). Our future home is not temporary or fragile. It is stable and enduring, sound and secure. One day, every ache, every weakness, every limitation, and every sorrow will be swallowed up by life itself. Hallelujah!
For women carrying heavy burdens, this truth offers deep comfort. Today’s struggles are not the end of the story. The body that feels weak, the heart that feels weary, and the mind that feels overwhelmed will one day be made new. God has prepared something far greater than we can imagine. Maybe in your heart you are saying that is great, but what about now? How do we live while we wait?
2 Corinthians 5:5 reminds us that God Himself has prepared us for this very thing and given us the Spirit as a guarantee. A guarantee is a promise backed by certainty. In ancient times it was a deposit—a first installment assuring that the rest would surely come.
The Holy Spirit is God's pledge that every promise He has made will be fulfilled. When heaven feels distant and eternity seems difficult to grasp, the Spirit reminds us that our future is secure. His presence in our lives is evidence that God is not finished with us. What He has begun, He will complete. “So we are always of good courage.” (v. 6)
That is what it will take, good courage. Courage is “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” (“Courage” Dictionary.com Merriam-Webster, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/courage. Accessed April 2025) It implies firmness of mind and will in the face of extreme difficulty. Such courage is not possible in our own strength but requires the presence of the Holy Spirit – that guarantee given to us by God.
So, we move forward, “we walk by faith, not by sight” (v. 7). Faith keeps us moving when circumstances tempt us to stop. Faith trusts God's character when His purposes seem hidden. Faith clings to what we know to be true even when our emotions tell a different story. We walk not because we see every answer, but because we know the One who holds our future. We are sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
This passage ends with a reminder that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. For believers, this is not a place of condemnation but one of great hope. Jesus has already borne our judgment on the cross. Instead, it is a place where our lives will be evaluated and rewarded. This gives purpose to every ordinary day. Because our future is secure, we are free to make it our aim to please Him. We serve, love, forgive, persevere, and obey—not to earn God's favor, but because we already possess it through Christ.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
If your tent feels worn today, lift your eyes. Your Savior has prepared an eternal home for you. His Spirit is your guarantee. His presence is your strength. And His promises are certain. Walk forward with courage, by faith and not by sight, making it your aim to please Him until the day you are finally welcomed home.
PRAYER
Father, thank You that this world is not my final home. When my body is weak, and my heart grows weary, help me remember the eternal hope I have in Christ. Strengthen me by Your Spirit to walk by faith, not by sight, and to live each day for Your glory. Amen.
2 Corinthians: Confident and Compelled - A Study on 2 Corinthians - No Empty Word Series by Paula Miles
Paula Miles is wife to Kevin, a ruling elder at Clemson Presbyterian, and mother of Wimberly Johnson (married to Charlie), Janie Gotfredson (married to Duncan), Clary (married to Elli), and Judy Livingston (married to Evan). She is also a grandmother to six precious little ones. Paula grew up in Anderson, SC, and graduated from Clemson University. She has experienced the joy of being a full-time homemaker and public school teacher. Studying and teaching God’s Word is her passion, along with encouraging and equipping women as they walk with Jesus. Since 2014, Paula has served on staff at Clemson Presbyterian as Women’s Ministry Director. She is a conference and retreat speaker, an author of the No Empty Word Bible studies, and serves on the PCA's Discipleship Ministries (CDM) National Women’s Ministry Team as a trainer. She enjoys regular exercise, a good cup of coffee, watching sporting events, and investing in the lives of her family and friends.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
