My apologies for not posting within the last few months. As far as excuses goes, I really don’t have none. I’ve fallen off of doing a few things lately, but good news is I’ve prayed that lazy spirit up out of me and I’m working my way on back! A few months ago, I posted, “With Affliction Comes Comfort” and with part two, there are a few things I’m going to add to that.
The verses I’m studying are 2 Corinthians 4:7-15:
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
When Paul says, “earthen vessels,” he is referring to our bodies because our bodies are made from dirt. Then he follows with saying, “that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” because in our bodies is where there is treasure. The treasure is the knowledge of God. That’s the same as saying the experience of God in the face of Christ Jesus. The closer we get to Jesus, the more of God we will experience (Colossians 2:3). Experience of God is wisdom and knowledge on how life should be lived. Although the treasure is in us, please don’t be mistaken with thinking that we are the treasure because we are not. We suck (haha) and as my pastor puts it, even on our best days we are dignified dirt (I love how he says that!). Even though we are cheap, the treasure in us is of immense value! This is the good news!
As we read on, we soon approach some other news. Looking at verse 8, it is safe to say we are afflicted in every way. This is the bad news because affliction is tough. By the time we get to verse 10, we see in order to live we need to die. And when I say die, I mean die to ourselves (flesh). We need to decrease so that Jesus can increase in us. When stuff is going wrong in our lives that means we need to draw nearer to Jesus. God is trying to unwrap the treasure in us. He’s trying to unveil something we’ve never seen before!
I know how it is to feel like you’re at the end of your rope. But the truth of the matter is, although our bodies are subject to sin and suffering, God never abandons us! Our trials, tribulations and afflictions are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate His power and presence through us. Glancing at verse 13, I see that it’s important to let our mouth and belief say the same thing. Believe what you read in the Word of God and then speak it. I’m in the middle of reading through the Old Testament and I often get confused and have to re-read the verse and meditate on it to understand it. Before I read on, I desire to understand what is going on and I sometimes get discouraged because of all the information I always think, “I’m never going to get passed the Old Testament.” I learned that the trick to reading the Old Testament is to look for Jesus in it! Jesus is the Word!! So when we speak what is written, we affirm our belief and faith in Jesus. So before I start reading, I ask the Holy Spirit to go with me and before me to help me not only understand what it is I am reading but apply it to my life. Then I say out loud Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
When opposition, disappointment or discouragement threatens to rob you of your victory, remember that no one can destroy what God has accomplished through you. No matter what it is you are going through, DO NOT QUIT! Read the Word, Believe the Word and SPEAK the Word!! Yes we will have affliction and struggles, but because God loves us so much more than our minds can even imagine, He comforts us while we are going through!
All Glory to God!!
*Crystal M. Cherry
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