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2 Cor. 4
Look at v. 14-16. How does this encourage you? What will I do in response? Paul states, “Therefore, we do not lose heart” at both the beginning and the end of this chapter. With even just a casual read-through of the New Testament, we can see that Paul suffered greatly in his ministry. So what helped him to “not lose heart”? I see several reasons in what he says here.
- “Through God’s mercy we have this ministry” (2 Cor. 4:1). Having God’s light in us and allowing it to shine through us is a gift of God’s mercy. Knowing that truth fosters gratitude, even in the greatest hardships.
- “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Cor. 4:5a). The message we have been given is not about us but about Jesus Christ. Thus, it is unfailing truth and worth giving all for.
- “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Cor. 4:7). God, not us, is the power in the message. All we need to do is faithfully live and tell that message.
- “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.” (2 Cor. 4:11). God reveals His power through our weaknesses and hardships. So when our suffering comes as a result of our faithful obedience, we can know that God is at work.
- “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:17). The suffering we endure for living out our ministry as vessels of the light of God’s glory is also being used to prepare us for a life of eternal glory in the full presence of God. The here and now cannot compare to what is to come.
And so we hold fast by fixing our eyes on God. His gift of mercy, His truth, power, and glory, and His sure promise of what is yet to be are eternal. They overpower whatever we face here and now. We focus on these things, “therefore we do not lose heart.” (2 Cor. 4:16a).
Judges 19-20
This sordid story also begins with “in those days Israel had no king.” What is wrong with this story and what purpose does it serve? Things go from bad to worse. Where is God active in this human debacle? Why? What is the ultimate outcome of unrepented sin? I still don’t know what to make of this story of the Levite and his concubine. It certainly gives a vivid picture of where our human nature takes us when we reject God as our king. I wonder, though, if there is some deeper significance in any of the details. I did find it interesting that the Levite refused to stay in Jebus (Jerusalem), as it was not yet a city of Israel, but still controlled by the Jebusites. Trusting in God’s people definitely didn’t get him far.