An Eternal Glory
2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18 (NIV)
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.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Reflection
I watched my best friend go through one of my greatest fears firsthand a few years ago. But what I remember and hold tight to most is, even though she was hard pressed on every side, she was not crushed. She was not alone. Family, friends, and the community surrounded her and her family with love and support, and she was not destroyed. Instead, she shined a light brighter than anything I’ve ever witnessed. She turned her eyes toward Jesus and heaven, knowing that this situation was temporary and that something better – something eternal – was coming. You couldn’t be in her presence without feeling hopeful and renewed, and her situation is a perfect testimony of today’s verses.
In our reading Paul paints a beautiful picture, comparing our lives to fragile clay jars. Yet, within these simple vessels resides a treasure beyond measure - the light of Jesus - and it’s in His love, grace, and hope that we find our comfort and strength.
The words in verse seven remind us that it’s not our outer appearance or our own strength that matters most. Instead, it is the supernatural power of God, the treasure of Jesus within us, that makes all the difference.
In the face of suffering and trials, we often feel like clay jars, fragile and vulnerable, susceptible to breaking. But it’s precisely during these moments that we find comfort in knowing that our strength doesn't come from ourselves. We don't break because of the treasure we hold within.
Our outer selves may be wasting away, but our inner selves are being renewed day by day. The challenges we encounter, the suffering we endure, even the moments we feel completely overwhelmed are all temporary. The treasure within us, the light of Christ, is eternal. It’s through suffering that we draw closer to Jesus, relying on His grace, finding comfort in His presence, and discovering that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
In your times of trial and suffering, remember that you’re not just an ordinary clay jar. You’re a vessel of God's love, grace, and hope, carrying the most precious treasure of all—Jesus. Wrap yourself in gratitude, knowing that you can find comfort in Jesus, even in the most challenging moments.
Your suffering may be real, but it is light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory it is producing in you. As you face adversity, lean into the surpassing power of God. Let the light of Christ shine through your weaknesses and find the comfort that only He can provide. You are a clay jar, and your worth is immeasurable because of the treasure Who lives in you.
Action Steps
Do you feel hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down today? If so, go back to today’s reading and remind yourself of God’s truth by filling in the blanks below:
I may feel hard pressed, but I am not ____________.
I am perplexed, but I do not have to ___________.
I feel persecuted, but I am not ____________.
I have been struck down, but I am not ____________.
Because of these truths, I will not _________ heart!
Prayer
Lord, I am grateful for the privilege of being a vessel of Your light, love, and grace. In times of suffering and trials, help me remember that my strength comes from You. Remind me to lift up my suffering and trials to You and remind me that these burdens are temporary and light compared to the glory You are producing in me. Help me to turn my eyes to Jesus and heaven, finding hope and renewal even in the most challenging moments. Help me to embrace my clay jar-identity with gratitude, allowing Your light to shine through my weaknesses.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Reflection
I watched my best friend go through one of my greatest fears firsthand a few years ago. But what I remember and hold tight to most is, even though she was hard pressed on every side, she was not crushed. She was not alone. Family, friends, and the community surrounded her and her family with love and support, and she was not destroyed. Instead, she shined a light brighter than anything I’ve ever witnessed. She turned her eyes toward Jesus and heaven, knowing that this situation was temporary and that something better – something eternal – was coming. You couldn’t be in her presence without feeling hopeful and renewed, and her situation is a perfect testimony of today’s verses.
In our reading Paul paints a beautiful picture, comparing our lives to fragile clay jars. Yet, within these simple vessels resides a treasure beyond measure - the light of Jesus - and it’s in His love, grace, and hope that we find our comfort and strength.
The words in verse seven remind us that it’s not our outer appearance or our own strength that matters most. Instead, it is the supernatural power of God, the treasure of Jesus within us, that makes all the difference.
In the face of suffering and trials, we often feel like clay jars, fragile and vulnerable, susceptible to breaking. But it’s precisely during these moments that we find comfort in knowing that our strength doesn't come from ourselves. We don't break because of the treasure we hold within.
Our outer selves may be wasting away, but our inner selves are being renewed day by day. The challenges we encounter, the suffering we endure, even the moments we feel completely overwhelmed are all temporary. The treasure within us, the light of Christ, is eternal. It’s through suffering that we draw closer to Jesus, relying on His grace, finding comfort in His presence, and discovering that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
In your times of trial and suffering, remember that you’re not just an ordinary clay jar. You’re a vessel of God's love, grace, and hope, carrying the most precious treasure of all—Jesus. Wrap yourself in gratitude, knowing that you can find comfort in Jesus, even in the most challenging moments.
Your suffering may be real, but it is light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory it is producing in you. As you face adversity, lean into the surpassing power of God. Let the light of Christ shine through your weaknesses and find the comfort that only He can provide. You are a clay jar, and your worth is immeasurable because of the treasure Who lives in you.
Action Steps
Do you feel hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down today? If so, go back to today’s reading and remind yourself of God’s truth by filling in the blanks below:
I may feel hard pressed, but I am not ____________.
I am perplexed, but I do not have to ___________.
I feel persecuted, but I am not ____________.
I have been struck down, but I am not ____________.
Because of these truths, I will not _________ heart!
Prayer
Lord, I am grateful for the privilege of being a vessel of Your light, love, and grace. In times of suffering and trials, help me remember that my strength comes from You. Remind me to lift up my suffering and trials to You and remind me that these burdens are temporary and light compared to the glory You are producing in me. Help me to turn my eyes to Jesus and heaven, finding hope and renewal even in the most challenging moments. Help me to embrace my clay jar-identity with gratitude, allowing Your light to shine through my weaknesses.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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