DOWN BUT NOT OUT
Opening Prayer
Father God, I come to you now as your loving child to hear your wisdom and your will for me.
Read 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-12
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 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. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
If today life seems a challenge, read on and take heart. You are in good company.Things are never straightforward with Paul. He gives the Corinthians a glimpse of how it is for him. Fragile, like a clay pot, bruised and battered by others, experiencing a sense of dying. But, he says, the pot is full of treasure. Knocked down, he is never ‘out for the count’. Experiencing a sense of dying, he is able to bring life to others.
What a man! Catch the mood of Paul’s words as he recalls the pressure and perplexity, the persecution and pain that had been his lot. This is light years away from the notion which can work its way into our consciousness that our following of Christ will give us a life of ease and plenty. It’s so easy to develop a ‘L’Oréal’ spirituality: ‘because you’re worth it’! But it is not so. Ease and plenty are not our destiny as disciples. We are more likely to encounter threat and danger. But with it the sheer exhilaration of following Jesus. And this fragile, unprepossessing clay pot, despite all that has conspired to destroy it, remains unbroken, still holding the priceless treasure of the gospel (v 7).
Apply
We must expect wounds, for we follow a wounded Lord. If this is true, how will that affect the way you live today?
Closing prayer
King Jesus, rule over my life. I bring all aspects of my life to you and lay them before your throne.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
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