pour
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV
The treasure God has placed inside of you is enough.
At one time or another you’ve probably wondered how God could use you? How he could delight in you? But the love language of God is grace. And He loves to use ordinary, everyday people like us to reveal His glory.
The treasure Paul speaks of is the glory of the Lord revealed through Jesus. God chose to put that glory in us! And He’s not embarrassed. This was not a mistake. Perfect vessels only bring glory to themselves. But fragile jars of clay can display the excellence of His power. He works through our weakness and “as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Cor 4:15). When the glory of the Lord is revealed, praise begins to rise and people begin to see who their Lord and Savior really is.
So we do not lose heart, friend! For these momentary troubles are producing something greater in our hearts (2 Cor 4:16-18). It’s not easy. Paul’s life was hard. But he knew the power and victory of Jesus in his life, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair,” reminiscent of David in Psalm 34 who said, “many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord will deliver him of them all.” God will never forsake the one who trusts in Him.
We are pressed to pour. We are salt and light. We are the hands and feet of Jesus to a broken world. Not by power, and not by might but the Spirit of God that is in us. You friend, have an assignment, and a day is coming when we’re going to have to give an account for how we handled what God entrusted to us (2 Cor 5:10).
If we can learn to see through the eyes of heaven, if we can look at that which is unseen and not allow life’s challenges to make us bitter, our afflictions will work in us an eternal glory, transforming us into the looking glass by which others can see Jesus, the King of Glory.
In Christ,
makenzi
additional reading:
Old Testament: Psalm 34:19, Isaiah 64:8, Ezekiel 37:27, Lamentations 4:2
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1:28, 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, Ephesians 2:8-9
reflect:
Spend some time reflecting on your God given assignment—where has the Lord called you? What has He graced you to do? Who has He called you to lead and love? Ask the Lord to give you a holy courage and boldness to pull out the treasure inside of you.
centering prayer:
LORD, thank you that Your Spirit is with me and in me. I am never alone or without the power to overcome. Use me Lord, for Your glory. amen.
