2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“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.”
Years ago I remember reading a small weekly newspaper called GRIT. In one issue there was a poem that expressed the idea that it was easy to go through life when everything is going grand. The writer said it made you feel like you could beat the band.
The second part of that poem, however, spoke of the pressures of life that pressed in on us and called for God-given strength to praise Him when we were feeling like we were in a vise.
In today’s Scripture reading, the apostle Paul mentions four extreme conditions that we are frequently subjected to: (1) Hard-pressed (2) Perplexed (3) Persecuted (4) Struck down. That seems to be more than enough trouble to sink our ship!
But Paul does not leave us in a hopeless condition. He gives us four expressions of hope: (1) not crushed (2) not in despair (3) not forsaken (4) not destroyed. The next time you feel under pressure, remember that we have victory in Jesus. He is our strength and has won the victory. It is ours to claim!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil