Verse of the Day 10/5

2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ESV

I normally try to limit the "verse of the day" to one or two verses. Today's is one of those groups of verses that are hard to separate.

Yesterday we considered the hope that is an anchor for our soul, our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It is our treasure. Today's verses point out that we have this treasure, we carry it around in fragile clay pots, some would say cracked pots. But even with cracked pots, if there is light in them it will show through the cracks.

I'm continuing the theme of hope, even though hope is not mentioned in these verses, it is there none the less. It is this hope in God's surpassing power, goodness, mercy and love that keeps us from being crushed in sometimes overwhelming circumstances.

A friend recently posted the words to a Sara Groves song on his blog. The words go along well with the thought line of the past few days.

Sara Groves - Joy Is in Our Hearts

We were pressed on every side

Full of fear and troubled thoughts

For good reason we carried heavy hearts

 

It is good to come together

In our friendship to remember

All the reasons hope is in our hearts

 

Now with patience in our suffering

Perseverance in our prayers

With good reason this hope is in our hearts

 

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Christ our joy, our strength

Hallelujah, hallalujah

Christ our glory and our strength

God has the power to lift us out of and above our circumstances that would drive us to despair. When we allow Him to do so, His surpassing power shows through and others will see it and will give glory to God.

In Christ,
Mike

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV

2 Cor 4:7-18 Treasures in Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ESV