Thursday, 16 July 2020 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” -2 Corinthians 4:17
All men born in this world during some phase or the other in life will meet with momentary troubles. It happens to everyone, not just a few. Apostle Paul has dedicated this whole chapter to encourage believers not to look at the difficulties of life and get disheartened during these periods but to accept these as challenges that will bring glory to God and salvation to their souls. We have the great and precious promise given to us in Romans 8:28 that says “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This promise is not for everyone but applies only to those who love God and are called for His purpose. God is at work not to make all of us happy in this world but works His purposes in our lives even in the troubles we go through, for an eternal good.
So in the midst of trials and turbulences – the chosen ones are called:
to look for their security in heaven and not on earth: For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor.5:7)
to train themselves to accept pain and persecution and reject resentment “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1)
The above is possible only if you trust the Almighty who has promised to be with you every moment of your life (Matthew 28:20). We do not have to understand God in order to trust Him in our situations. Instead we should trust God in all situations so that we may understand many things. When faced with persecution, instead of giving up, Apostle Paul focused on experiencing the inner strength from the Holy Spirit. One should never forsake the eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain. One may think that we have reached the end of the rope, but the fact is that we are never at the end of hope. Romans 5:3-4: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The suffering we undergo serves us many things:
It reminds us of how Christ suffered for us and our pride which keeps us from trusting in Him is removed and we learn to lean on Him. Hebrews 2:10 “… in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
Through it all we learn to focus on life beyond this physical world. John 12:25: “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
God also uses it to demonstrate His power through these situations. 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
Dear brethren – be encouraged to see oppression as opportunities for displaying Christ’s resurrection power through us. May the Lord help you to take up this challenge!
Promise: “ … In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~ JESUS (John 16:33)
Listen: ‘Through it all’