29 lines
4.6 KiB
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29 lines
4.6 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">May 21</div>
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<h2>The Power within Redeemed Earthen Vessels</h2>
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<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>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',4,7);">2 Corinthians 4:7</a>)</div>
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<p>In our previous meditation on this same verse, we saw that God has placed extraordinary heavenly treasure in ordinary earthen vessels. <i>"But we have <b>this treasure</b> in <b>earthen vessels</b>."</i> This is true of every person who has been redeemed by the blood of Christ. The Lord has arranged it this way so that the vessels (you and I) must rely upon the treasure (Jesus Christ), not upon ourselves: <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> Also, this arrangement is to bring attention and glory to the Lord, not to the vessels.</p>
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<p>The Lord is the treasure in the "clay pot" of our redeemed humanity. He is to be the "excellent power" in our lives. He is the one we are to trust in as our strength for daily living. When the battles become fierce, trust in the Lord. <i>"You have armed me with <b>strength</b> for the <b>battle</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',18,39);">Psalm 18:39</a>). When we need patience or endurance, trust in the Lord: <i>"<b>Strengthened</b> with all <b>might</b>, according to <b>His</b> glorious <b>power</b>, for all <b>patience</b> and <b>longsuffering</b> with joy"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col',1,11);">Colossians 1:11</a>). When we need strength for our latter years, trust in the Lord. <i>"The <b>LORD</b> has <b>kept me alive</b>…here I am this day, eighty-five years old…yet I am as <b>strong</b> this day as I was on the day that Moses sent me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jos',14,'10-11');">Joshua 14:10-11</a>). Even in times of extreme personal weakness, His strength can be especially apparent. <i>"I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the <b>power</b> of <b>Christ</b> may rest upon me…For when I am <b>weak</b>, then I am <b>strong</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',12,'9-10');">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a>).</p>
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<p>The temptation is to trust in our "sturdy structure" (or in those who claim to be able to strengthen or reinforce weak vessels). Our personal resources will fail, but the Lord who dwells in our hearts will not fail. <i>"<b>My</b> flesh and <b>my</b> heart <b>fail</b>; But <b>God</b> is the <b>strength</b> of my heart and my portion forever"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',73,26);">Psalm 73:26</a>). The world system with all of its impressive riches calls us to place our confidence in its resources. The Lord warns us that such misplaced trust becomes our downfall. <i>"Woe to the rebellious children…who…go down to <b>Egypt</b>…to <b>strengthen themselves</b> in the <b>strength</b> of <b>Pharaoh</b>…the strength of Pharaoh shall be <b>your shame</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa',30,'1-3');">Isaiah 30:1-3</a>).</p>
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<p>We are to trust the Lord to be our strength. <i>"The <b>LORD</b> is <b>my strength</b> and my shield"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',28,7);">Psalm 28:7a</a>). Then, we are to give the Lord glory for the strength He supplies. <i>"My heart <b>trusted</b> in <b>Him</b>, and I am <b>helped</b>; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will <b>praise Him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa',28,7);">Psalm 28:7b</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord, the strength of my life, forgive me for relying upon myself and for looking to worldly resources. I want to place all of my trust in Jesus, the treasure who lives within me. May all glory be unto Him, in His mighty name, Amen.</div>
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