2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Monday, 24 May 2021
“These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever!” -2 Corinthians 4:17 [TLB]
Keeping eternity in perspective helps us see the troubles and afflictions in this world as momentary. The pressures of life burden us day to day. In fact, for a real Christian there is much more to suffer than the common folk. But the Christian who keeps his eyes heavenward, is able to keep the cheer knowing that the times of distress don’t last and eternity awaits with the joys of God’s richest blessings that last forever!
The very fact one is a Christian brings the enemy of our soul to work out his schemes to thwart every good purposes we want to pursue. It is a real life fight on a daily basis. Besides this, we also have a persistent fight against our own carnal nature. To add to all these, we have the cares of daily life to attend to; the calamities that surround us, the ups and downs in economy, and all other innumerable troubles along the road of life affect us in one way or other. Many a time we are bewildered with what is happening all around us. But the Bible gives us the answer- “this light momentary afflictions is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
Let us not lose heart! See what Paul talks about these daily pressures of life: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (2Cor.4:8-9 ESV). When ordinary people struggle to face the the bulldozer of troubles in this life, the Christian has an added advantage. We have a treasure in us, Jesus Christ who lives in us through His Spirit. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2Cor. 4:7) He helps us from inside out, so that we do not explode under pressure or get crushed under the weight of the problems we face. It's amazing how we can withstand every storm of our life through His power!
There is a double fold benefit from all these pressures of life- namely:
Our inner self is renewed daily even though our outer self is perishing under these troubles. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. (2Cor. 4:16 ESV)
Our afflictions are much benefit to our ministry. When the minister is pressured under the daily pressures of life, he is used by the Lord to minister to multitudes even under life-threatening situations. Every persecution has always paved the way for expanding God’s Kingdom work—God allows it for His Kingdom to grow! That is the reason Paul writes: “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” (2Cor. 4:11-12 ESV)
So let us turn our hearts to God in willing surrender. Let the pressures of life manifest within us the glory of God and through it may God be glorified in our lives!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to persevere under the daily pressures of life so that I may display the indwelling treasure- Christ in me the hope of glory. Amen.
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