1 Corinthians 2:9

Growing up in church, I use to dislike it when our pastor would "Bible hop" during his sermon. It was too challenging to find the next passage before he was reading it. But, today's verse leads us to take up the challenge and do some Bible passage hopping. 1 Corinthians 2:9 is one of my favorite verses. It tells us, "But as Scripture says: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.'" What an amazing promise! This awesome verse starts out with the words, "but as Scripture says," so what passage was the apostle Paul quoting?

Commentaries suggest that Paul was not referencing just one passage, but several writings of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 64:4 says, "No one has ever heard, no one has paid attention, and no one has seen any god except You. You help those who wait for You." Then, Isaiah 65:17 tells us, "I will create a new heaven and a new earth. Past things will not be remembered. They will not come to mind." And, the whole 62nd chapter of Isaiah is packed with the same hope-filled expectations. I cannot read the words without a big grin spreading across my face in sheer wonder of it.

I use to think that this awesome promise that Paul penned was for our future eternity in heaven. But, nothing in the passage limits the promise to heaven. Of course, the awesomeness of heaven will blow our minds but God wants to take our breath away here on earth, also. Today! Leading us to one last hop to Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope." Your wildest imagination cannot out do how God wants to bless you. Anticipate God today!!!