Daily Bread 2011 - 2 Corinthians 4
Daily Bread 2011 – 2 Corinthians 4
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
What Does This Mean?
Paul uses the metaphor in 4:7, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay” (the name of one of my favorite Christian bands!). But nonetheless God uses these clay pots to shine forth His glory. Importantly, the clay pot is not in itself that valuable, but what it holds in priceless. This same analogy goes for our bodies, which waste away over the years, but house “our souls”, which are meant to last for eternity.
Paul presses the analogy further as he points to some of the persecution they face, as they bring the Good News of Christ to the world. Some are threatened by this same Gospel, and Paul must endure suffering for the cause of Christ in many ways. And yet, he offers us this fantastic verse that though outwardly we may we wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. And though we all have trials of different types, we are headed for a glory that will far surpass any of our earthly suffering. Therefore, Paul urges us to keep our eyes fixed on not what is seen, but what is unseen (God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven!)
What Does This Mean For Us?
When we face trials we can either: complain, grumble or wallow in self-pity; or we can realize that we are being molded for eternity. In fact, in James 1:2-4, the writer tells us we should not be surprised when different types of trials come into our lives. The writer tells us to actually “consider it pure joy”, because the testing of our faith produces endurance, which must finish its work, so we will be perfect and complete and lacking in nothing!
I still remember a sermon way back in the 80’s that when you are going through a trial, it is almost as if a warning light should go off to remind you of all these truths, so we don’t get tempted to break into a “pity party”. The next time a trial comes your way, look for the ways in which God is molding and shaping your faith and character, so it will be perfect and complete and lacking nothing. Remember you are made for eternity, and every experience here on earth will, as we look back, dwarf in comparison to the joy we will once have in Christ’s presence where there is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16)
Jesus though we don’t want trials to come into our lives, we know that the testing of our faith produces opportunities for us to grow in our character and trust in You in new ways. Give us Your strength when hardship comes, so that we can endure the trial and stand firm in Your promises and see our character formed to be like You. Amen.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
What Does This Mean?
Paul uses the metaphor in 4:7, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay” (the name of one of my favorite Christian bands!). But nonetheless God uses these clay pots to shine forth His glory. Importantly, the clay pot is not in itself that valuable, but what it holds in priceless. This same analogy goes for our bodies, which waste away over the years, but house “our souls”, which are meant to last for eternity.
Paul presses the analogy further as he points to some of the persecution they face, as they bring the Good News of Christ to the world. Some are threatened by this same Gospel, and Paul must endure suffering for the cause of Christ in many ways. And yet, he offers us this fantastic verse that though outwardly we may we wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. And though we all have trials of different types, we are headed for a glory that will far surpass any of our earthly suffering. Therefore, Paul urges us to keep our eyes fixed on not what is seen, but what is unseen (God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven!)
What Does This Mean For Us?
When we face trials we can either: complain, grumble or wallow in self-pity; or we can realize that we are being molded for eternity. In fact, in James 1:2-4, the writer tells us we should not be surprised when different types of trials come into our lives. The writer tells us to actually “consider it pure joy”, because the testing of our faith produces endurance, which must finish its work, so we will be perfect and complete and lacking in nothing!
I still remember a sermon way back in the 80’s that when you are going through a trial, it is almost as if a warning light should go off to remind you of all these truths, so we don’t get tempted to break into a “pity party”. The next time a trial comes your way, look for the ways in which God is molding and shaping your faith and character, so it will be perfect and complete and lacking nothing. Remember you are made for eternity, and every experience here on earth will, as we look back, dwarf in comparison to the joy we will once have in Christ’s presence where there is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16)
Jesus though we don’t want trials to come into our lives, we know that the testing of our faith produces opportunities for us to grow in our character and trust in You in new ways. Give us Your strength when hardship comes, so that we can endure the trial and stand firm in Your promises and see our character formed to be like You. Amen.
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