Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 4; Psalm 116
Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. – 2 Corinthians 4:1
When we see a “therefore”, it’s good to discover what it is there for. What is this new way Paul is referring to? Looking back at the previous chapter, we are reminded that the veil is removed when we turn to the Lord. We reflect the glory of the Lord as we experience the freedom of the Spirit living within us. We are daily becoming more like him, a transformation that is visible for all to see or a glow that shines a light for all to see.
We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. – 2 Corinthians 4:2b-3
While Satan is working hard to blind all of us from the truth, we are called to reveal the Good News about Jesus by letting our life be a light in the darkness. Where there is confusion, the Spirit can bring clarity; where there is a veil, the Spirit can bring freedom and understanding.
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
WE FOCUS ON THIS LIGHT WHEN THINGS GET DIFFICULT.
We are not like Moses who had to put a veil over his face so the people would not see God’s glory. When we believe in Christ, when we turn to the Lord, the veil is lifted and we can boldly show the light of God for all to see (3:12, 14). When things get difficult, we do not focus on the darkness around us but on the light burning bright within us. His Spirit reminds us of God’s presence and gives us the strength to overcome our troubles — a power not from ourselves but of God (4:7). Since God has given us this new way, we persevere through life’s struggles and Satan’s attacks.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
WE NEVER GIVE UP!
Paul lived out this charge for all to see. He lived under constant danger of death yet celebrated that Jesus was being revealed to others through the persecution he was experiencing. If dying for Christ meant others would experience eternal life, Paul declared it to be worth it.
And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produced for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:15-18
OUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE TEMPORARY.
What a great reminder for us this morning. The last thing we want to do is give up when life gets hard. We do not want to allow the enemy to defeat us or discourage us, but to fix our eyes on the eternal as we put our trust in God. Let’s pray Psalm 116 together:
Lord, you hear my voice and respond to my prayer for mercy. For this I love you! You bend down to listen to my prayer, therefore I will pray as long as I have breath! I have experienced trouble and sorrow; death has tried to pull me into the grave. But when I called on your name, you displayed both your kindness and your goodness by saving me. You are a merciful God — the One who protects me and gives rest to my soul. You have been good to me, saving me from death over and over again. You spared my eyes from crying and my feet from stumbling.
What can I offer back to you for all you have done for me? I will walk in your presence, lifting up your cup of salvation and praising your holy name! I will keep my promises to you. I will offer up a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on you, for you have freed me from my chains and taken care of me during my seasons of grief and loss. I am a fragile clay jar containing a treasure, recognizing that your power is at work in my life. Therefore, I will never give up! Amen.