– Living For God’s Glory
BRD REFLECTIONS:
2 Corinthians 4 and Psalm 43 (NIV)
(Jennifer Ho, SWR Treasurer/Hospitality Team)
READ:
2 Corinthians 4
V 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
V 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
V 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
V 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Psalms 43
OBSERVE:
‘Treasure in jars of clay’ caught my attention while reading this passage. The treasure that Paul refers to is the light of the gospel, the message of Jesus, and the glory of God reflected in Jesus. Often in the bible, we relate to the jar of clay as weak and fragile to be shaped by the potter’s hand. Without God, we are easily broken by the world. I see myself as a broken vessel to be shaped by my master’s hand; my weaknesses and struggles point me to God; God’s unsurpassing greatness demonstrates His power. In Him, I am assured that that I will not be crushed, or destroyed, neither will I feel despair or be abandoned.
God’s calling for me as a wife, a mother and a servant in various ministries is not always smooth but often challenging. But God has enabled me to focus on His unsurpassing power that is working and not of my own effort; this is where my hope comes from. When I am willing to let go of my own control, I allow God as my potter to pick me up, break me down then shape me to who He wants me to be; a jar of clay for His use to reflect His glory. It is a painful process, but God assures me in Psalm 43: 3 to 4; “Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.”
Whenever I am feeling downcast and disappointed, I know I can put my hope in God, and I can still praise my Savior and my God (Psalms 43:5). That is the hope I have in my God.
APPLY:
I cannot avoid life struggles and challenges, but I can depend on God’s power to journey with me.
Anchor my hope in God with the knowledge that He is my Savior and my God.
I want to use this ‘jar of clay’ to reflect God’s glory so that those who are in the darkness will see the light of Jesus.
DO:
To cultivate the worshipful life; reading and meditating on God’s words and praying.
To develop regular personal solitude with God.
To share Christ with others and to live a Christlike life.
PRAY:
Dear God, thank You for calling me as a Child of God, precious in Your sight. Help me anchor my hope in You in every life struggle and challenge, allow You to mould and shape me for Your purpose. Use me as Your vessel to reflect Your glory so that those around me will see You and experience Your goodness. In Christ’s most precious name I pray. Amen.
