2 Corinthians 4

Don't lose heart

In this section Paul relays God's message - no matter how hard it gets, no matter the problems, we need not lose heart!

Why doesn't Paul lose heart?

The unique privilege of Gospel Ministry

Paul never loses sight of God's mercy. He more than most knows the saving power of God's mercy. And so he knows that it is because of that mercy he gets to share the gospel. He has been given the opportunity to contemplate the Lord's glory and, through growth, take on God's glory. This is not something to be taken for granted, and so we should not lose heart but rejoice in the opportunity we have to share God's mercy with others.

There are those who cannot see God's glory, and who do not know His mercy. So Paul continues to show them that. Like Moses' face shone with light after seeing God's glory, so our lives should shine so all can see. So they can see the face of Christ.

We also can look a Jesus' face to see God's glory and learn more about Him. Paul has learned by this that in his weakness God's glory shines even more.

The unique power of God in weakness

Paul says that God's power is shown even more in his life when he is in moments of weakness. Our lives are broken and dirty pots, yet there is glory hidden within. The contrast between those things makes that glory seem even more precious.

And so when we feel weak and useless, remember that showing God's glory at that time is far more powerful than before. Jesus is in you, and so keep getting back up and keep going remembering the power within you.

Your weaknesses will strengthen your faith and loosen you tongue

In verse 13 Paul quotes a Psalm. The psalm shows David in great illness, and him getting delivered by God to full strength.

We know the same will happen in our lives! We know that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead can raise us up out of any out of despair we find ourselves. Fall into His arms when our self-reliance fails and we fall.

When this happens, we can't help but tell others about it! That is why Paul cannot stop sharing the Gospel with others. Difficulties enable us to trust in the one who raises the dead and we can't stop talking about it!

Our weaknesses stop us giving up by opening the eyes of our heart

Every time we are saved by the power of God, we grow and we come to see that we are being renewed - we are moving closer and closer to that glorious day when we will be made complete and whole. We are tasting what is coming. These things take us into the presence of God, so that we see the perspective we need to keep going.

The more we need that today, the more that it will be glorious and celebrated on that day. What we are acheiving today through Gods strength will make our future all the more glorious.

What can we do with our weaknesses? We make a choice. A choice to fix our eyes on that glorious future, that eternity of glory and praise.