2 Corinthians 4:1-12...

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.—2 Corinthians 4:1

As I read 2 Corinthians 4:1-12, I found much encouragement from Paul to tuck away in my heart.  Verse 1 reminded me that the One who saved me and entrusted me with those works that He prepared beforehand (Ephes 2:10) would not allow me to fail. I am not to lose heart or quit.   It is God who works in me both to do and to will for His good pleasure.  He who called me is faithful.  I can trust Him to see me through.  

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.—2 Corinthians 4:2-4

As a Christian I am to put off deceit and walk as it says in Psalm 119, undefiled in the way.  I am to live transparently and walk in the truth of God’s word as it is revealed in the Scriptures. My word and deed are to match. As Paul said in Chapter 3 our lives should read like an epistle of Christ written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God on the tablets of our hearts.  

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.—2 Corinthians 4:5-6

I really liked this one...probably the most difficult one.  I don’t know about you, but sadly my heart’s first reaction to life in this fallen world is to make me the center. I want to make everything about me. In truth, nothing is ever about me...even the stuff that really seems to be about me.  It is about Him.  I died and my life is now hidden with Christ in God. I am His bondservant.  The Judaizers in Paul’s time were all about glorying in themselves and in their achievements.  Christ for them was only the means to an end.  For Paul to live was Christ and to die was gain.  

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.—2 Corinthians 4:7-12

In effect, I am a clay pot...an earthen vessel...without value in and of myself.  The treasure that is within me...the very Spirit that is from God...is what gives me value.  A clay vessel is weak...it cracks easily.  Not a problem for God.  When our pot is cracked and weakened, His light shines from within our vessels brighter.  His strength in fact, is made perfect in our weakness. 

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Corinthians 12:9-10

It is very difficult for me to take pleasure in my weakness.  Being weak makes me feel scared, out of control and very vulnerable.  Trusting God then in my weakness is hard. Here is the wonderful thing about God, though.  He makes it pretty hard not to trust Him because really what choice do we have?  We ARE weak!  The older I get the clearer this becomes.  Beloved, don’t fight against God. As the clay is in the hand of the potter, so are we in the hand of our God. Trust Him.  He is good and does good.

Blessed is the man, who puts his trust in Him!   

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

And whose hope is the LORD.

8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit.—Jeremiah 17:7-8