Treasure in Jars of Clay
Tuesday: Today’s devotional is from 2 Corinthians 4:1-18. There are some powerful takeaways in today’s devotional. If you are going through a hard time, this may be just the encouragement you need to hear!
LISTEN TO TODAY’S READING
SCRIPTURES FOR TODAY: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:1-18
Verse 1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Verses 2-6 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
Verse 7 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.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 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.
THOUGHTS & RELEVANCE FOR TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL
Verse 1 The first verse starts out really powerful and it’s also a reminder to us that what we have been gifted and called to do we can do and will be done THROUGH GOD’S MERCY and not through or by ourselves. So as Paul says, there is no reason to lose heart – God’s got this. (ponder on that a moment, because there are days I for sure need to remind myself of this).
Verses 2-6 Paul may seem a little defensive but what he was trying to emphasize is that they were teaching the TRUTH about the word of God. At the same time false teachers were threatening to take over the church of Corinth. I don’t know about you but this seems to still be very true and alive today in our society. Believe he was warning believers to know that God has given us light on the truth and that (god of this age) the enemy has blinded many people to the truth. Even today as it was in Paul’s time we cannot convince anyone that is blind to the truth. But we can however, try to be the best example we can be and in love, in our actions, and how we live our lives may we show an example of the truth. We can let our light shine from the inside out and but only God can make that change of heart.
Verse 7 this is such a great analogy and so much just in this one verse… The jar of clay is our physical body and inside this ‘jar’ is a an amazing treasure; which is Jesus (the gospel of hope) living inside of us. To fully understand this analogy remember this day in age where pottery was the material of the common person. It was used to make everything from pitchers, oil jars and bowls to griddles, washbasins and pots. Coarse clay was preferred for utilitarian ware. For more expensive vessels, the potter first refined the clay by treading it out in water. Even broken pieces of pottery, or “shards,” found a use as writing material for notes, receipts and messages.
Paul compares our physical body to a piece of Palestinian pottery. Jars of clay are “earthenware vessels” serving a specific purpose (such as a jug, cup, pan or pot). So to be God’s “vessel” is to be his instrument in carrying out a specific service–in this case, the gospel ministry.
The biggest takeaway of the verse is “we” are like common, run-of-the-mill clay–fragile and easily broken. But God still has entrusted us with the greatest treasure. According to Paul, he does it to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. God uses what is fragile and yet serviceable so there is no mistake where the power comes from. The gospel is not merely a message that confronts the mind but an explosive power that turns a person’s life upside down.
Verses 8-9 these verses are another reminder that living a life for Jesus is not going to be a bed of roses and champagne, nor is it for the faint of heart. Regardless of who we are or where we are, there will be trouble of one kind or another. It can be trouble personally or it can be some form of outward trouble. But there will be trouble. We are going to pressed hard and tested big time, but because of the Lord inside of us we will not be crushed. There may be confusion, doubts, and even fears (perplexed). At times we may not know what in the world God is doing in our lives; however we will not go into depression and despair because God is going through this with us. We may even be made fun of (persecuted) or people will walk away from us; but yet we are not alone, God will ALWAYS be with us. We may fall down (be struck down) many times but our vision and our purpose for our lives will never be destroyed. (wow, some more powerful, powerful stuff)…
Verses 10-12 Paul is comparing our pain and trouble we go through to the hardships and suffering that Jesus went through. Through us, during our trials (hopefully) we can show the glory of the Lord. For example by staying in integrity, being honest, truthful, loving, kind, joyful and in peace DURING the hard times; we can show that there is something powerful inside of us that other people do not have.
Verses 13-15 I think Paul again is emphasizing that we can go through these troubles and come out in the end ONLY through the power of the Lord. It is the treasure in the clay pots that keeps us pressing on.
Verses 16-18 I’m going to paraphrase what I believe Paul is saying in these scriptures. Please girlfriend do not give up, even though you are going through a really hard time and it seems absolutely unbearable, please do not loose hope. For that treasure inside of you is all powerful to bring you through whatever you may be going through. Give your troubles to God, let God take care of this, remember God has you and this problem. Keep your focus on him and not on these temporary challenges. For what we cannot yet see God is going to bring you through this and out of this in bigger ways than you can ever imagine… God’s got this. Remember you have that treasure inside of you (jar of clay).
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
DAILY DEVOTIONALS are biblical based mini studies to encourage you, help you grow on your journey, and to inspire you to share with others!
- Sunday: Video teachings with a variety of teachers, bishops, and pastors.
- Monday: Hearing from God Each Morning (365 Daily Devotional) Joyce Meyer
- Tuesday: Study of a book in the bible along with scripture readings (II Corinthians)
- Wednesday: Jesus Calling; Enjoying Peace in His Presence (365 Daily Devotional) Sarah Young
- Thursday: Becoming A Vessel God Can use; Donna Partow
- Friday: Our Daily Bread; that tiny little monthly booklet that reaches people around the world with the life-changing wisdom of the bible
- Saturday: Created For Excellence; 12 Keys to Godly Success, Kevin Baerg