Reading Plan: If you would like to continue on a Bible reading plan, click here.
Paul’s Second Letter
to the Corinthians: DAY 23
READ 2 Corinthians 4:1
– 6:13
In your journal, write
down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to
what God shows you as you feel led.
God
has shone His light into the darkness of human hearts in order to give us the
knowledge of His glory, as seen in the face of Jesus. This is a treasure, but
it is a treasure contained in the weakness of our temporary human bodies. Paul begins
by stressing two major themes: 1) This life is temporary, and thus our
sufferings are temporary also (ch 4); and 2) Our suffering allows us to share
in the death of Christ so that we can bring life to others, just as Christ did
(4:7-12 and 5:14-15).
We
must live by faith and not by sight, setting our hearts and minds on our
eternal dwelling. Imagine how things would be different if we actually did
this! Imagine how differently we would respond in times of trial and suffering
if we lived with Paul’s perspective and truly believed verses 16 -18! Imagine
how much less we would fear people and their opinions of us if we truly kept
our hearts fixed on heaven and made it our aim to please God.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
It was very easy in ancient Corinth,
and it is very easy in present day North America, to live without a thought of
eternity. There is so much around us to see and do and have that we can go
weeks and months without giving a thought to the truth that this life is
temporary and mediocre compared to what God is preparing for us! Spend some
time thinking about this, and imagining how life would be different for you if
you took this to heart.
2.
Meditate on 4:16-18. What struggles are
you dealing with that God wants to call “light and momentary” next to the
“eternal weight of glory” He is preparing for you. How will you journey through
this trial differently because of what God says?
3.
Paul understood that if he wanted to
share in Christ’s glory he would also have to share in His suffering. He
understood that his trials were not in vain because as he suffered, he died
along with Christ and thus he could bring life to others just as Jesus death
opened the door to abundant life. Ask God to speak to you personally through
this truth.
