“WE DO NOT LOSE HEART, THOUGH …” Thoughts from today’s Bible readings – Sept. 4th

These days the challenges to “lose heart” are multiplying as the boisterous ways of the world swirl around us – and appear to be getting even more chaotic and ungodly.  Our readings in 2 Kings ch.9 reveal a situation that was, in some ways even worse!    But at least Jehu, to whom Elisha had sent one of the sons of the prophets to anoint as the new king, was carrying out deserved justice on the wicked Jezebel and the ungodly kings of both the northern and southern kingdoms.

Paul’s words in 2nd Corinthians ch. 4 are applicable to at least some believers today.  Paul encourages the faithful (v.6,7) that “we have this treasure,” that is, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” but it is “in jars of clay,”  meaning, our present humble and lowly situations.   But this is “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” [v.7]

Do we feel increasingly overwhelmed by this godless world? Let us try harder to follow the example of Paul, for, although he was “persecuted” he was “not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed …” [v.9] His and our “spirit of faith” was in “knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. ” [v.13,14]

How encouraging, indeed triumphant, are his words from v.16. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

As a result we know for sure, if we possess a full faith in our hearts, that (as the chapter ends) “the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” and “our present light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” [v.17]

So let us make sure “we do not lose heart.”