DCLM Higher Everyday 13 June 2024 — Castdown, But Not Crushed
Topic: Castdown, But Not Crushed
Text: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18
8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Key Verse: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9).
Message
Looking at the experiences people go through, including ours, we can say that life is not a bed of roses. However, Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” In our text, Paul also described the sufferings he and his co-workers went through during their outreaches. Indeed, they had it tough, but he affirmed that, through it all, they were not “crushed.” The remedy for them, however, was firstly, their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13). Secondly, their hope that there would be great eternal rewards awaiting anyone who would continuously “look unto Jesus,” no matter the situation.
Today, Christian youths also have their share of challenges such as persecution, bereavement, sickness, and academic failure. Sometimes, these challenges come from school, place of work, and family members. All these make one to feel cast down but nevertheless, our confidence should be in God’s promise that He will not leave us nor forsake us.
Quote: Our anchor holds in the storms of life.
Challenge: No matter what you are going through, God is in control.
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, help me to have faith to overcome challenges.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
