Posted by Pastor Mark Erickson
In 15 days, we will celebrate the single greatest moment in the history of the world: the day that Jesus conquered evil and walked out of the tomb, securing eternal life for us and setting humanity free from death and sin. While we claim this victory and look forward to the day that God will fully establish His Kingdom and wipe every tear from our eyes, we live in a world that is wrought with pain, disappointment, strife, and difficulty.
Especially now, we are reminded of the frailty of life and the challenges that we face as we live out our days. The Scriptures are full of stories and words of men and women who struggled with the unfairness, the pain, and the challenges of life on planet earth. Several of the Psalms are complaint poems, and we even have an entire book of the Bible called Lamentations. The Bible makes this clear: being a person of God does not make us immune from difficulty. The apostle Paul was a man that was familiar with suffering, and his letter that we call 2 Corinthians is all about suffering and weakness and the power of God’s grace to meet us in our brokenness. Check out what he says in chapter 4 of that book:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 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. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 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.
Paul did not downplay or dismiss his suffering, but he knew that the experience of trouble allowed the resurrection life of Jesus to be the ultimate power in his life. Because of the resurrected life of Jesus that we have access to, we do not lose heart even when our worlds around us crumble. This is why Paul is able to say in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, “We grieve, but not as those who have no hope.” We suffer, weep, hurt, and experience disappointment, but the life of Jesus changes the way we experience those things. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, and we celebrate that God’s grace is enough for us. I love what Tim Keller says, “It doesn’t matter how dark your life is right now. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, light will come.”
As you go about your day today, remember that your joy and freedom are not based on the present circumstances of your life, but on the power of the resurrected Jesus. When we surrender ourselves to him, we experience the kind of life he desires for us.
Discussion/Application: How have you experienced God’s grace and power in your weakness and brokenness? Share with a friend or family member or comment below.
Bullet Prayer for the day: LORD, help me to fix my eyes on You, not on the challenging circumstances around me. Help me to fly to the cross and root myself deeply in the hope that is found only in You.
Robin Phillips says
What a blessing this devotional is! What a way to start my day–you had me from the very first sentence. We are blessed to have this time to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection power. God’s grace and power are evident in His word! Thank you for taking the time to write, share and send hope. Love my BCCC family!
Margaret La Pointe says
When we humbly acknowledge to the Lord that we are only imperfect earthen vessels that are completely dependent on Christ to fill us with His mighty power then the Lord can do just that. It is so amazing that it is only when we admit our brokenness, that we can experience the marvelous way that God unleashes His power in us. Then we can truly cry out to the Lord in fervent prayer. The times when I have been most broken have been the times when I have felt the nearness of the Lord in the most powerful way.
For example, when I went through a year of cancer treatment when I was 31-32 years old, I realized that my life was totally in God’s hands and that even though I felt very weak from chemo, He would give me the strength I needed moment by moment. I would often sing Steve Green’s song called « God and God Alone » and especially loved the lines:
« God and God alone created all these things we call our own
From the mighty to the small the glory of them all is God’s and God’s alone »
or
« God and God alone will be the joy of our eternal home
He will be our one desire Our hearts will never tire of God and God alone »
Thanks, Pastor Mark for this great reminder.
Christa says
I love that Paul acknowledges the difficulties, troubles, and grief without vilifying the believers experiencing those things. He points to the hope we have in Jesus, but doesn’t rush us through the process as if it’s sinful to be disappointed, hurt, persecuted, hard-pressed, or struck down. His words, like Jesus, are encouraging, loving, and motivating, as we lift up our eyes to the One who knows our weaknesses, understands us better than anyone, and gently helps us become more like Him – not on anyone else’s timeline, but on His. Thank you for this reminder: yes we grieve, but not as those who have no hope. Yes, we have hope, but we can still grieve. Jesus is with us in both places (thank You God!)
David M says
As with the Apostle Paul, don’t be afraid to admit your fear and difficulties. Be open and honest, so that friends, family, and God can help you through the hard times.
This devotional reminds me of the song “Trading My Sorrows” from Darrell Evans. Check it out a little extra inspiration!