January 28 | 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

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DAILY READING

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

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REFLECTION

All-Surpassing Power

By Beth Voltmann

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this

 all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

(2 Corinthians 4:7)

What treasure is Paul speaking of? If we look back to verse 6, we read that God “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.” God bestows on his followers the treasure of Christ’s light and wisdom even though we are but frail human beings – jars of clay - cracked pots.

 “The treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels...

and God has so ordered it that the weaker the vessels are,

the stronger his power may appear to be,

that the treasure itself should be valued the more.”

Commentary by Matthew Henry

As disciples of Jesus, we would have no glory of our own, no wisdom to share, no strength to carry on if it were not for the all-surpassing power from God!

It seems silly, but a childhood toy came to mind as I read today’s passage. When my younger sister was about 3 years old, she received a gift of Weebles – a small box of little egg-shaped toys that resembled people. The slogan used at the time to advertise the product was “Weebles Wobble but They Don’t Fall Down!”

My older brother and I did our very best to topple these little people (causing torment to our younger sister), but we were always astounded and quite a bit delighted at the resilience of the Weebles. No matter the opposition endured, the little people would tilt, wobble, and then return to a standing position!

Similar to the above slogan, Paul touts the all-surpassing power of God that sustained the early disciples as they shared the gospel of Jesus...

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.

(2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

These followers did not crumble under opposition because they were filled with the light, power, and life of Christ.

Jesus told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Paul trusted this promise and wrote, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

As believers in Christ, we are filled with God’s all-surpassing power that is made perfect in our weaknesses. We might wobble but we don’t fall down!

PRAYER

Lord,  you have given us such treasure. May we rely on your power to sustain us in our frailties as we testify about Jesus, the Light of the World!

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 24)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.