“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down…
but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10
Paul is reminding us that we may think we’re at the end of our rope, we never truly are! Let’s pick the above verse apart…
“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed;” – picture your enemies completely surrounding you. Now think about what’s happening in the Spiritual world. Think back to when Elisha’s servant was distraught because they were surrounded by the enemies’ troops, chariots, and horses. “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him.
“For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6: 16-17
“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34: 7
Faith reveals that God is doing more for His people than we can ever realize through sight alone. When you’re facing difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resources are there even if you can’t see them. We have to be constantly looking through the eyes of faith, and let God show us His resources. Easier said than done, I know. But it CAN be done!
“… we are perplexed, but not in despair;” – Maybe your way is totally blocked. Perhaps the enemy has tried his best to devour you. You can’t see clearly. But friend, just know that even if all darkness seems to be consuming you, there will be just enough light for you to see the next step. God promises that…
“No temptation has overtaken you such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10: 13
You might be thinking about this verse the way I used to. I was getting sick and tired of people quoting this verse, and telling me God won’t give me more than I can handle. I was tired of hearing that because it plainly says no temptation, it doesn’t say no suffering or disease! One day I heard a teaching on this very thing, and discovered that the word temptation in Greek means the same as test. I verified that myself in The Vine’s Concise Dictionary of the Bible. YES, TEMPTATION = ANY TEST OR TRIAL!
“… persecuted, but not forsaken;” – the enemy may be in hot pursuit, but Jesus said He will never leave or desert us.
“… struck down, but not destroyed” – Even though the enemy has struck and knocked us down, it’s not a fatal blow. We may be overthrown, but we’re not overcome.
“… always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” – Lastly, Paul gives us a picture appearing to be death itself. Yet he doesn’t die. Through Paul’s suffering, the “life of Jesus” is manifested in his life. Many Christians fail to experience this Divine principle because they expect to receive it without a struggle. God has nothing worth having that is easily gained. Our redemption cost Christ everything he had. Anything worth having is expensive. If we are to ever rise beyond our mere human strength and experience the life of Christ in our mortal bodies, it will most certainly be through conflict and strife. I recently read something that speaks volumes about this very thing…
Although Satan’s demons tried to extinguish the flame in Moses’ life by continually pouring water on his plans, they couldn’t because God’s angels were ever vigilant, pouring oil on the flame to keep it burning brightly. ~ Streams in the Desert