What a blessing it is to witness another Christmas! Despite all the challenges that came with the year, from the pandemic to riots, God has
been faithful. Though we’ve been hit with illnesses, job losses, financial
troubles, relationship issues, and more, as sons and daughters of God, we’ve refused to stay down. Like Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 4, we are not in despair, not abandoned, and certainly not destroyed. Why? We serve a God who will never forsake us.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)
– 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Our hope is in the Lord our Creator. On our own, we can do nothing. Without God, we would be weighed down by the trials and tribulations of life, but with Him, we have hope and strength to face each new day. 2 Corinthians chapter 2 is one of the most powerful and uplifting passages in the Bible. Let’s dig deeper into it for more inspiring messages from God to end the year.
We hold a treasure
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, he writes about “treasure in jars of clay.” Other translations say “treasure in earthen vessels.” What Paul means is that we, being works of clay (Isaiah 64:8, Genesis 2:7), hold a powerful treasure within us—the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Mary was just an ordinary earthen vessel until God put in her His divine Son. So was Paul until he was chosen by God to preach the good news far and wide. We are all ordinary jars of clay until we encounter Jesus.
‘Hard-pressed on every side but not crushed’
Here Paul is talking about the difficult times he faced as a missionary. From beatings to being shipwrecked to getting locked up in prison, he faced persecution for his faith from all fronts. But the apostle never allowed any of it to sway his faith. He was anchored firmly in Jesus.
We all face difficult times, whether it’s in our health, finances, or relationships. Our journey
to becoming more Christ-like is accompanied by challenges. But when you understand that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world, you won’t allow the troubles to weigh you down.
Paul says he is “perplexed but not in despair.” The Amplified version has it as “perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair.” You’re probably in a situation where you feel like you’re stuck in a problem with no way out. You’re overwhelmed and confused and desperate for a miracle.
Apostle Paul certainly knows what it’s like being in a difficult, seemingly never-ending situation and he taught us that God’s grace is more than enough to power us through. He says in 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in
hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
God’s grace is sufficient for you. If you’re feeling weak, draw strength from Him. If you’re confused, ask Him for guidance. Let your focus be on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV).
Conclusion
The Christmas season is a time of joy. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Lamb of God, our Redeemer. Through Him, we have hope, not only in this life but also in the one after. We know that our afflictions, no matter how heavy they may seem now, are only temporary. They don’t compare to the blessings and glory Christ has in store for us.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)
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