2 Corinthians 4:8-11 - Keep Heaven in View.
2 Corinthians 4:8-11 (NLT) We are pressed on
every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We
are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We
are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We
get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10
Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in
the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may
also be seen in our bodies. 11 Yes, we live under
constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so
that the life of Jesus will be evident in our
dying bodies.
COMMENTARY PEARL
I have found in my travels that those who
keep Heaven in view remain serene and cheerful in
the darkest day. If the glories of heaven were
more real to us, if we lived less for material
things and more for things eternal and spiritual,
we would be less easily disturbed by this
present life.
This is not escapism, as some would
argue. If anything, a firm faith in the future
should make us more responsible in the present. All
around us are people who never give a moment's
thought to Heaven or eternity. How will they learn
of the future if we don't tell them in the
present? The real escapism, I would contend, is
refusing to face the future that God has prepared for
us.
In these days of darkness and upheaval
and uncertainty, the trusting and
forward-looking Christian remains optimistic and joyful,
knowing that Christ someday must rule, and "if we
endure, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Tim.
2:12).
Whether today is filled with pleasure or
pain, we must see it for what it is: temporary.
Earthly happiness and heartache pale in comparison
with the treasures that await us in Glory. [Hope
for Each Day by Billy Graham]
COMMENTARY
Paul reminds us that though we may think we
are at the end of our rope, we are never at the
end of our hope. Our perishable bodies are
subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons
us. Because Christ has won the victory over
death, we have eternal life. All our risks,
humiliations, and trials are opportunities for Christ to
demonstrate his power and presence in and through us. We
must ask ourselves, "Could I handle the suffering
and opposition that Paul did?" The success
syndrome is a great enemy of effective ministry. From
an earthly perspective, Paul was not very
successful. Like Paul, we must carry out our ministry,
looking to God for strength. When opposition,
slander, or disappointment threaten to rob you of the
victory, remember that no one can destroy what God
has accomplished through you. [Life Application
SB]
In The Pits
There are times that come to all of us,
the feeling of despair, dejection and
depression. It seems everything is going wrong and the
very spirit of life is at a low point. Teenagers
have an expression for this which they call in
the pits. It is not a matter of if but when
these times come, what do we do? The true story
is told about Winston Churchill. He was to
make a speech at a university and the students
were eager to hear this great man. They watched
as he made his way to the podium. As he gazed
out over the crowd he hesitated a moment, then
said, Never give up! and went back to his
seat. Very unusual for a man who wrote volumes.
Considering what he went through during World War II he
knew the meaning of those three words. We look
to the Psalms for David to tell us what it was
like to be in the pits. He experienced
many highs and lows during his lifetime. No
matter how high or how low his feelings he knew
that God loved him. In the New Testament Paul
likewise experienced every kind of physical pain and
affliction. Throughout his many trials he considered it
all joy and victory to serve our Lord Jesus
Christ. [Yokefellows BS]
CLOSING PEARL
In the pathway of all who seek the crown, is
the cross. If we would become partakers with
Christ of his glory, we must be willing to share
with him in his sufferings. If we would reflect
his glorious image, we must be submissive to the
divine molding; we must follow in the footsteps of
the Man of Calvary. God has claims upon every
one of us. He created us, he redeemed us with an
infinite sacrifice. He has promised the overcomer the
great rewards of eternity. Why do we cling to
anything that is offensive to him? Why not separate
from every sin, and perfect holiness before him?
The only reward for sin is unutterable woe and
death; but the righteous shall be at his right hand
in fullness of joy, in his presence, where are
pleasures forevermore. {RH, September 16, 1890 par.
2}
SOURCES OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Prayer; Gods character, His blessings,
The Cross, The Plan of Salvation, Jesus, etc.
Bible study; Psalms, Job, Daniel, James,
2Cor.4:8,9
Serving Jesus; Caring for the needy,
visiting the sick and incarcerated, etc.
Singing Hymns
Fellowship with other Christians; church,
etc.
Journal of Blessings and Prayer answers
Seeing God in the situation; knowing He is
with you
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
2 Corinthians 4:8-11 - For All Who Seek The
Crown, There Is The Cross.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220625-0904.html
2 Corinthians 4:8-11 - God is in the
Remodeling Business.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210928-0835.html
2 Corinthians 4:8-11 - God Can Use Dark
Times for Good.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200626-0918.html
Acts 14:22b - Tribulation for Entrance to
the Kingdom:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150624-2038.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
