This precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 Paul’s life was a clear and unmistakable demonstration of the power of God held in a jar of clay. He wasn’t exempt from difficulties because he was the Lord’s servant; in fact, the overwhelming circumstances, troubles, and mental anguish that accompanied them served to display the glorious message of Christ and to reveal the power of God in Paul’s life. In today’s passage he reveals to us the secret that God has designed us as earthen vessels and that the treasure of his light and power and glory is held in our perishable, weak bodies. Why? So that everyone will know that this power and greatness is from God—not from us—but from God. That is why we can say with Paul that though we may get knocked down, we get up again and keep going. We may suffer, but we won’t be crushed. We may be perplexed or frustrated, but we are never driven to despair, all because of the treasure of Jesus, who dwells within us by his Spirit. LORD, thank you for designing me to be a clay jar with an amazing treasure inside. And though the circumstances of life may press me down, you never abandon me. May others see your power and light through my life. May you truly be glorified in my weakness, in this earthen vessel that I am. "God does not expect us to imitate Jesus Christ. He expects us to allow the life of Jesus to be manifested." ~ Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:29:35 +0000
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