Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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God’s unfailing presence in Crisis 

Bible Reading: 2nd Cor 4: 7-12
 
Key verse 7

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 


DEVOTION

One of the hardest questions that have haunted me as a Christian, is how is it that the Apostles and first believers of Jesus never gave up their faith, despite the tremendous hardships of life.  
Apostle Paul was imprisoned, shipwrecked multiple times, and was also beaten up several times. Moreover, he had constant pressure and anxiety for all the churches. (2nd Corinthians 11:28)
Why and how did he endure these. 
Apostle Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians 4:7
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 
Paul mentions to the Corinthian church, about a treasure we have in jars of clay. What is this treasure he is talking about? 
The treasure he mentions is the Gospel of Christ which has been revealed to us as believers in Him. By God’s abounding grace and mercy, we have received the Gospel and have hope for a life eternal. But there are so many people in this world that have not received this grace, because the God of this Age (Satan) is at work veiling the eyes of many (2nd Corinthians 4:4). 
The Jars of Clay he refers to is our mortal bodies. So, essentially Apostle Paul is saying that we have Jesus living in us and through us. He shares with the Corinthian church that even though in crisis or in experiences of being hard pressed on every side, or perplexed, and persecuted or being struck down we are not at a loss because Jesus who is living, is in us, and will not let us be crushed, leave us in despair, make us feel abandoned or let us be destroyed. The hope that we have in Jesus leads us through times that seem hard to bear. 
In the suffering that we face, God shows His Glory and helps advance his Gospel to the world around us. When we face these crises like situations, he shows up and carries us through them (v 7). This helps increase our faith in Him and helps us grow stronger in the knowledge of Him. 
There is an account in history of an Assamese family (father named Nokseng) that lived in a village of the Garo tribe. They came to believe in Jesus through an American missionary; However, the faith of the family was put to test by the chief of the village. They were asked to renounce their faith or else they would lose their lives. However, when they sang the song “I have decided to follow Jesus”, the sons of the man were martyred. Then, when the wife sang “Though none go with me still I will follow” the wife was martyred and the man himself was killed as he sang “The cross before me the world behind me”. Witnessing this immense faith the chief was changed and confessed to believe Christ. This in turn led to the entire village coming to believe in Christ. This is the impact that suffering and standing strong in the belief of Christ does. As Paul says In Philippians 1:21” "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain". We all know that Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. So, we can rest assured that as we face suffering here on earth Jesus is carrying us through them and if we do lose this life, we have the hope of eternal life.
So, what are some things that we as Christians can do as we face the setbacks of life. In my opinion, spending time reading His Word to know him better, holding onto His promises and daily communion with Him (Speaking to him in prayer and hearing from him) are some crucial elements in our Christian walk. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, 
Thank you for your grace, by which you have unveiled our eyes, to believe in you. Help us to see your tangible presence as we face a life of suffering and setbacks in life. Help us to continually grow in the faith and knowledge of you. 
In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen 
 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

God whispers in pleasure and speaks in conscience but shouts in pain. Pain serves as God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world – C S Lewis 
 

Mrs  Venna Thomas

                                                              The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island

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