35 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
35 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<html><head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
|
|
Day By Day By Grace</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">May 22</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h2>The Process that Magnifies the Treasure</h2>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>But we have <b>this treasure</b> in <b>earthen vessels</b>, that the <b>excellence</b> of the <b>power</b> may be of <b>God</b> and <b>not</b> of <b>us</b>. We are <b>hard pressed</b> on every side, yet <b>not crushed</b>; we are <b>perplexed</b>, but <b>not in despair</b>; <b>persecuted</b>, but <b>not forsaken</b>; <b>struck down</b>, but <b>not destroyed</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',4,'7-9');">2 Corinthians 4:7-9</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>New covenant servants (followers of Jesus Christ) are <i>"<b>earthen vessels</b>"</i> (ordinary clay pots). Yet, in the container of their redeemed humanity dwells <i>"<b>this treasure</b>"</i> (the Son of God Himself). This arrangement calls for the treasure (Jesus), not the vessels (you and me), to be the object of all trust and the recipient of all glory: <i>"that the <b>excellence</b> of the <b>power</b> may be of <b>God</b> and <b>not</b> of <b>us</b>."</i> Appropriately, the Lord has also arranged a <b>process that magnifies the treasure</b>.</p>
|
|
<p>This process involves the every day pressures of life, which come from all sides. <i>"We are <b>hard pressed</b> on every side, yet <b>not crushed</b>."</i> Clay pots cannot withstand much pressure, but the treasure within us (Christ) is able to keep us from being smashed. <i>"Be <b>strong</b> in the <b>grace</b> that is <b>in Christ Jesus</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti',2,1);">2 Timothy 2:1</a>)</p>
|
|
<p>The process that draws attention to the treasure also involves many perplexities. <i>"We are <b>perplexed</b>, but <b>not in despair</b>."</i> We face difficult decisions and impossible issues, but our Wonderful Counselor protects us from hopelessness: <i>"in <b>whom</b> are hidden all the <b>treasures</b> of <b>wisdom</b> and <b>knowledge</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col',2,3);">Colossians 2:3</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>Persecutions are included in the process: <i>"<b>persecuted</b>, but <b>not forsaken</b>."</i> People accuse us, misunderstand us, or lie about us. Still, we know we are not abandoned by our Lord who lives within us. <i>"For He Himself has said, 'I will <b>never leave you</b> nor <b>forsake you</b>'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr',13,5);">Hebrews 13:5</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>Even catastrophes are a part of the process that magnifies the treasure who indwells us: <i>"<b>struck down</b>, but <b>not destroyed</b>."</i> Circumstantial upheavals and overwhelming heartaches occur, but the Lord stabilizes our souls. <i>"They confronted me in the day of my <b>calamity</b>, but the <b>LORD</b> was my <b>support</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',18,18);">Psalm 18:18</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>Thus, life comes at us like an overpowering military tank, ready to flatten us. There is no natural hope, because clay pots can't handle tanks. Yet, as the dust clears, the flower pot of our lives can remain intact (if we are trusting in the able and faithful one who lives in our hearts). There is no attacking tank that can overcome the Lord Jesus Christ. <i>"<b>He</b> who is <b>in you</b> is <b>greater</b> than <b>he</b> who is <b>in</b> the <b>world</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Jo',4,4);">1 John 4:4</a>).</p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord Jesus, You are my indwelling treasure. When pressures,
|
|
perplexities, persecutions, or catastrophes come my way, teach
|
|
me to trust in You. When others ask how I am sustained through
|
|
these difficulties, remind me to give all glory and honor to
|
|
You. In Your name I pray, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/05/0521.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/05/0523.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|