Daily devotional · September 21
Treasure in Clay Jars
“Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”
Paul says the gospel treasure is carried in ordinary clay jars, cheap, breakable, easily chipped. He does this on purpose, so that the power at work will clearly belong to God and not to us. Then he lists his own cracks in 2 Corinthians 4:8: pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, struck down but not destroyed. Notice the small words, but not. They do not deny the pressure; they mark the limit of it. If you feel fragile today, that is not a disqualification. It may be the very condition God uses to show his strength. The light shines through the cracks. Today, instead of hiding one weakness, whether fatigue, doubt or an old failure, offer it to God in prayer and ask him to work through it. Tell one trusted friend about it too, because people are often encouraged when they see honesty rather than polish.
Also read
“We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;”
2 Corinthians 4:8
Prayer
Lord, I am a cracked clay jar, and I offer you my weakness. Let your light shine through me today.