2 Corinthians 4:7-9 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
First, the question sometimes goes to just what is the "Jars of Clay" spoken of here by the Apostle Paul. Skilled artisans created, dried, glazed, and painted these clay jars for the use of whatever purpose people needed them. People kept sacred scrolls or essential documents in such jars of clay, like the writings from the prophets of God. Paul's point here was that all power on earth and in heaven comes from Almighty God and not from humanity. Although our bodies come from dirt, like clay pots, the power of God is ours with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, this power is of God, and from God, and through no effort of ourselves.
These sacred words hold the secret of how Paul could withstand all the torture and circumstances he endured that go beyond our imagination. Regardless of what trial or tribulation we encounter, God's power and hands will lift us above the rough seas of turmoil and place us on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). Paul's example that we should follow is that he focused on God's power, not on anything that he thought he might be doing wrong. As a result, Paul avoided becoming self-absorbed in the trials and tribulations he often found himself in and kept his eyes on Christ Jesus, who could lift him above the worst situation that one might imagine.
In our continued dependence on God, we have nothing except what we have gotten from God, and we will have all things necessary for our lives when needed. For example, the Children of Israel wanted to pick up enough Manna to be able to horde large amounts in their tents. So, God told them to pick up only what was necessary for that day's needs, except for the day before the Sabbath.
We tend to want to see large amounts of "Manna" in our storehouses to say that we supplied our own needs instead of allowing God to provide for us (Matthew 6:11). We want to be sure that we remain prepared for any situation that might come our way by our self-sufficiency. Paul teaches us that it is better to put our trust in the power of God instead of our strength. After the Damascus Road experience, Paul lived a hard life, and the reason for that was his passion and surrendering life to Christ Jesus and the spreading of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Paul was well aware of the power and victory we have in and through Christ Jesus because he frequently found himself in situations where his needs could only be met through and by the power and the triumph of Christ Jesus.
This attitude and deportment kept the Apostle Paul from being crushed when he was hard-pressed, not being abandoned when things seemed hopeless, and not being shattered and devastated when it felt like the world was caving in on him. This condition was not some theoretical familiarity; it was what he went through every day. It worked well for Paul, and it will work just as well for you and I, as long as we focus on Christ Jesus and not on the world.
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