Do Not Lose Heart [2 Corinthians 4]

51For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul began and ended 2 Corinthians 4 with the words "do not lose heart." Living in the light of the gospel means going against the stream of society and that can lead to losing heart. If you are going to be successful in spreading the gospel of Jesus, the ministry you have been given, you need to keep your earthen vessel filled with God's grace. That means you must daily meet with the Lord (by His grace) through the Word and prayer, humbly giving Him your inadequacy and letting Him fill you with His adequacy. Be encouraged by Paul's words that the" momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." Finally, Paul reminded us to keep our eyes on the eternal unseen and not on the temporary things that we see. With all of the ads on TV and in the newspapers, it is particularly hard to keep you eyes on the things unseen... there are so many great things to see and buy. Keep your focus on God and His desire for you. He will guide you through the maze of materialism and increasingly help you use your material things for His Kingdom. And that will bring you greater blessing in the end.

May you not lose heart in your life with Jesus, but may you keep your eyes on Him through the Word, prayer and fellowship with other believers. Let His Light shine out of your vessel each day so that His kingdom will spread though the grace of your life.
Beth Warlick, 12/29/2008