Monday, October 21, 2024

            Discouragement is a real thing.  So too is despair.  Often, external things and experiences can lead us into despair—things like sickness, storms and spiritual battles with sin.  Many people, if not most, would admit that they have dealt with despair and discouragement.  You may be surprised to learn that not even Paul was immune to these feelings and situations.  In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul seems to be ruminating over his physical decline and waning health.  He wrote, “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” (2 Corinthians 4:8-12).
            But Paul was not driven to defeat by despair, physical decline and waning energy.  He was not defeated by sin, Satan or the struggles of declaring the gospel and living for Christ in the face of temptation and spiritual attacks.  He had supreme confidence in Christ and the power of the cross, grace, hope and divine strength.  There is victory and strength woven into the fabric of 2 Corinthians and Paul’s walk with Christ.  Paul wrote about this victory and strength near the end of 2 Corinthians.  It was almost like he exhaled his battles and inhaled the supreme power and strength of Christ alone.  We read, “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” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).  These three verses are loaded with encouragement and hope. 
            First, Paul used the word “therefore” to indicate that he had reached a conclusion.  Despite all that we may face and despite all that the enemy could throw at us, we will not lose heart.  Greater is the One who is in us than the one who is in the world.  We are victors in Christ and through Christ.  Second, we may be wasting away physically because of age, disease, accident or injury, we are being renewed inwardly.  The Lord is building and strengthening our hearts and lives.  Good things are coming when the Lord returns.  And the Lord will sustain us until the day that He returns for His people. 
            Third, the troubles of these days are “light and momentary.”  They are not decisive.  They will end.  And no trouble or despair that we face is greater than the Lord or can overcome His power over us and claim on us.  The eternal glory to which we are looking forward far exceeds the temporary and earthly woes of today.  Imagine if someone said they would give you $10 million dollars and a 10,000 square foot home on 100 acres in your favorite place in the world.  The only catch is you would have to deal with four flat tires over the next two days.  Most of us would sign up for that deal.  A flat tire is an aggravation and inconvenience but it pales in comparison to $10 million and 10,000 square feet of home on 100 acres.  Yet, fourth, the glory that awaits us in Christ far exceeds money, square footage and acreage.  The “eternal glory that far outweighs them all” is looming and waiting for those who are in Christ and with Christ.  Let your life be filled and driven by the promises, power and unseen realities of Christ.  Like Paul, we often have to pause to remember what we already possess in Christ and what awaits us because of Christ.  Let not your heart be troubled, Jesus said!  And Paul gives us some good reasons why we are not to be discouraged. If life here and now was all we had, it would be easy to face discouragement and despair.  But we give thanks for what awaits.  We fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal! Have a great Monday!