A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, September 8
2Corinthians 4:7-18
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. 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 being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
It is difficult sometimes to overlook the day to day difficulties and see all of my life bathed in the light of God. So much of my contentment comes from others’ happiness. When those around me are unhappy, I have a hard time. But God does not ask us to make others happy, only to live our lives with a transparent, shining belief in Christ. I do believe that God can use me to lighten another's load, if I only pay attention and see my opportunities. And ultimately, “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Holy Lord, help me to lighten another’s load, when I can. But I also pray that you help me to be content and wise enough to know what is outside of my influence (none of my business) to change. Amen
Becky, transforming
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
I love the imagery here, an ordinary clay pot with a special treasure inside, God‘s love and His power. I have many clay garden pots, some have chips, some have cracks, but I still use them. I still lovingly fill those pots. I think the cracks often give the pots much character. Like Paul says, we are like a clay pot. God doesn’t need for us to be perfect or super strong. He puts His love and power in ordinary people like me (a clay pot).
Dear God, ordinary and fragile as I am, I thank You for putting Your love and power in me. Amen.
Tuesday, September 8th, 2026
Ready To Be Filled
(Focus) Crafters
Today’s Reading 2 Corinthians 4:7-19
2 Corinthians 4:10
Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
This Scripture explains that those who know God’s word are fragile vessels( like the empty jars in the upper room story this morning) to be filled with a powerful truth. As in Paul's case,and in ours, it is God's power, and not our own, that keeps us going even thought we are not spreading it to the entire world. Paul and his companions were perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, but they were never crushed, even though they experienced torture, despair a…
2Corinthians 4:7-18
This morning’s Upper Room contributor was drawn to the image of our jars of clay to be filled by God. What grabbed my attention was, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” At 70, physical limitations I did not fully anticipate are keeping into my life. Vision, hearing, strength and stamina are all on the decline, though I try to maximize what I still have by staying active. What I need to always remember is the second part of the verse that declares these troubles are temporary and will be utterly obliterated…