A Glorious Life

Having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.   2 Corinthians 4:1

In the chapter preceding today’s verse, the apostle Paul compares the law of Moses to bringing death and the gospel of Christ bringing life. He points out that if the law of death was so glorious that Moses needed to cover his face, how much more glorious is life in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:7-8)? Paul said that the veil separating people from God is removed in Jesus. Believers have the gift of walking in life, light, and truth for all eternity.  

This truth motivated Paul to continue his ministry in the face of adversity. If anyone had any reason to give up on ministry, it was Paul. He went through a long list of calamities such as shipwrecks, imprisonment, and hunger. God’s people today can also draw courage and strength from His truth to do the good works He has called them to do. 

You may not be called to be a missionary, a pastor, or an evangelist. You may be a stay-at-home mom, an entrepreneur, or an employee with a nine-to-five job. Whatever your circumstance, let the truth of the gospel of Christ and the promise of eternal life strengthen you to do what God has called you to do. Take heart, the Lord is with you! By His mercy, He has saved you and set you apart for His service.  

As you pray today, ask God to remove the veil that the god of this world has placed on many U.S. citizens and governing officials (2 Corinthians 4:4). Pray that they will come to see the light so the works they do will be to glorify the Creator of the universe.  

Today’s Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:1

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


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