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2 Corinthians 4:7-12
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
New International Version (NIV)
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Pandemics reveal the truth about what we believe. So, the so-called prosperity gospel that God always wants all of us to be healthy, wealthy and wise implodes when a virus breaks loose and breaks the economy of the world. The theology that if we trust God nothing bad will ever happen to us turns out to be untrue. Our Savior suffered not to exempt us from suffering but to show us how to face suffering in this life.
Paul is exhibit A. He loved and trusted God and found himself in some pretty tough situations. We appreciate his candor. On the one hand, he readily admits that he is hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. On the other hand, he is not crushed, not in despair, not abandoned and not destroyed. Paul’s resurrection theology not only led him to be saved. It also guided the way he lived. He saw himself as dying with Christ in the hope that God who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead would raise him also (4:11-14).
Here is the bad news: we are not immune to difficulties and death just because we love Jesus. Here is the best news: our God is able to sustain us in our difficulties and to raise us back to life when we die. So why would we fear? With Paul, we do not lose heart because God is renewing us day by day (4:16). Our troubles here are light and momentary when we compare them with the eternal weight of glory ahead of us (4:17). What we see in this troubled time is momentary. Beyond what we presently see is the future, bright as the promises of God. So we hold on to hope.
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Pray with me:
Father, how we thank you for this treasure in our finite bodies: your resurrection power lives in us, your Easter people. Thank you for strength to live today. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross. Let us follow in his steps as we live in this vale of tears. May our faith in the risen Lord give us great endurance as we serve the only God who knows his way out of the grave. Fill us with so much hope today that we may have some to spare, some to share with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:33-35
Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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