Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.

 

“⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  ⁸ we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not despairing;  ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  ¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  ¹¹ For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  ¹² So death works in us, but life in you.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-12.

 

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“¹⁰ He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.
¹¹ The LORD favors those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.”  Psalm 147:10-11. 

 

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

 

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

 

We may not like it.  We may “rage against age”.  But, these are the body dynamics.  Our bodies are “earthen vessels”, “so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves”, and in clear contrast, “so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh“. 

 

 

God gives us grace to deal with whatever weakness we experience:  “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken;  struck down, but not destroyed”.  Verses 8 and 9.

 

And, God gives us further grace through the peace and joy that He gives us.  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7   “Great is my confidence in you;  great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort;  I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.”  2 Corinthians 7:4  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”  Galatians 5:22