Treasure in Earthen Vessels

When we read of the difficulties that Paul endured (2 Cor 11:22-33), we are tempted to think of him as some superhuman, a person with some extraordinary physical and emotional strength; but as we read the rest of the epistle, we see him to be an ordinary man, and one subject to the same trials and weaknesses as we are. So what was the thing that kept him going, in spite of these weaknesses? It was the power of God working in him through the gospel. We tend to think of the gospel as that power of God that transforms us when we first believe on Christ; but it is that same faith in Christ that keeps us and empowers us to live out our Christian life; because in the gospel is the God of that gospel, who comes to indwell us and continues to renew us. Hence, we are able to bear hardships. This same gospel treasure gives us confidence in the resurrection (2 Cor 4:14); and enables us to see our trials as light and momentary compared to the glory that awaits us (2 Cor 4:17).

“Many Christians estimate difficulty in the light of their own resources, and thus they attempt very little and they always fail. All giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence to be with them.” Hudson Taylor