2 Corinthians 4:7

New International Version (NIV) 

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

For meditation

1. As a child of God, do you know that the only time you can have the right perspective of yourself is to behold yourself in the mirror of His word? Where else can God’s “light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4: 6)?
2. Do you remember Isaiah’s perspective of himself when he saw the glory of God?  “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty (Is. 6:5).” Isn’t that humbling?
3. How, then, could anyone see themselves in any other way, if the word of God becomes their standard for living? But, how many seriously engage the word with a mindset of self-examination?
4. Do you see why many Christians have a distorted view of themselves, and have become puffed up, especially when they move in the grace gifts? Why the self-deception?
5. Isn’t it profitable and edifying, therefore, to “rather think of [oneself] with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of [us] (Rm. 12:3)? Will that not be a better way to walk with the Lord this year?

I pray you will always remind yourself that you’re a mere jar of clay containing God’s precious gift of life in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 4:7).

May you, therefore, remember that any ability you have for ministry and service is from God – given through the Holy Spirit – and not from you; and may this sobering thought humble you before the Holy One, who has endowed you with this treasure beyond human imagination, to edify and empower you for His glory.

Shalom