QT 7 Aug 10

2 Cor 4:7-18 (NIV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 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 be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

NOTE: The last three verses, 2 Cor 3:16-18, may be the most meaningful verses in the bible for me. They have helped me through many hard times of suffering, and just plain difficult times of life. In context, the glory referred to is the glory of the new covenant, the covenant of the Spirit that gives life and righteousness to those who believe. As Paul continues, he remarks that he carries the glorious gospel in a jar of clay, his body, a poor picture of the true glory. In fact, his earthly body is dying, and being attacked from every side. Death is at work in his flesh, although his spirit has life, and someday even, his flesh will be raised from the dead. So, he is not concerned about the difficult suffering he is undergoing, because it is worth it. In fact, it is not even worth comparing. We live for things which are unseen and eternal, not the temporary seen things of this world. Even the most beautiful are only a shadow of the things to come. Thank you Lord for saving me and giving me such a glorious future.