Scripture Thursday ~ A Dim Reflection

For now we see in a mirror, dimly,
but then face to face.  Now I know in part,
but then I shall know just as I also am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV)

The scripture I chose this week is found in 1 Corinthians 13:12, and talks of looking into a glass/mirror.  Mirrors were not always crystal clear like they are today.  In Bible times, they were made from polished metals, creating a vague image when looked into.  Paul, the author of 1 Corinthians compares this verse to our spiritual vision, which is dim, we don’t completely understand it.

Free scripture digital graphic

My eyesight is a source of frustration for me.  I’m extremely nearsighted and my vision fluctuates at different times.  I know when I get to heaven and see Jesus face to face, I’ll be able to see crystal clear.  Not only will my eyesight be clear, but my spiritual vision will be clear, the eyes of my heart. 

Paul’s confidence in this glorious future gave him the strength he needed to face his earthly trials.  He wrote in Romans 8:18:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  

Blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby had NO earthly vision.  I know from studying her life and her hymns, what she lacked in actual vision with her eyes, she made up for it with the eyes of her heart.  She wrote thousands of hymns that touched people deeply, still today.

Frances Jane Crosby

 
One particular hymn she held back and didn’t publish right away.   During a meeting at which she was asked to give her testimony, she shared this: 

There is one hymn I have writ­ten which has never been pub­lished.
I call it my soul’s po­em. Somet­imes when I am trou­bled,
I re­peat it to my­self, for it brings comfort to my heart. 

That hymn was titled
Saved by Grace (1891)
the lyrics are below.

Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!

Chorus
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.

Some day my earthly house will fall.
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;
But this I know—my All in All
Has now a place in Heav’n for me.

Some day, when fades the golden sun
Beneath the rosy tinted west,
My blessèd Lord will say, Well done!
And I shall enter into rest.

Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait,
My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,
That when my Savior opens the gate,
My soul to Him may take its flight.

Free hymn printable Saved by Grace

One of my favorite quotes by Fanny Crosby is:  

  When I get to heaven,
the first face that shall ever gladden my sight
will be that of my Savior!