2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Written ~ 11-07-2023

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

⁸ We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.

⁹ We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

¹⁰ Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Being a Christian is wonderful, by following Jesus there is a peace and comfort beyond our understanding. But that doesn’t mean perfection. It doesn’t mean troubling things aren’t going to happen. We live in a world that is evil, even as believers sin and death is still a part of being human. The difference is we have a Heavenly Father who cares for us and is with us every step of the way and we have the hope of eternity in Heaven. Because of what Christ did on the cross and the fact that He rose again from the dead, by being a Christian and standing up for that truth, it will bring troubles from those who are vehemently against the truth found in God’s Word.

Look at what verses 4:8-9 say about our troubles, “…we are pressed on every side by troubles… we are perplexed… we are hunted down… we get knocked down…”

B U T…

WE ARE NOT CRUSHED!

WE ARE NOT DRIVEN TO DESPAIR!

WE ARE NOT ABANDONED!

WE ARE NOT DESTROYED!

Remember those promises when you are going through a particularly difficult time!

Yes, trials and troubles will come… it’s reality and it’s mentioned several times in the New Testament, let’s explore some of those verses…

James 1:2-3, “WHEN trouble of any kind come your way…”

Luke 17:1 (MSG), “Hard trials and temptations ARE bound to come…”

John 16:33, “Here on earth you WILL have many trials and sorrows…”

Romans 5:3, “WHEN we run into problems and trials…”

1 Peter 1:6-7, “Even though you MUST endure many trials…”

1 Peter 4:12-13, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials…”

Matthew 6:34, “…don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

If you ever thought that becoming a Christian would give you some kind of free ride where you could skate through life untouched by trials, troubles, and sorrows, well sorry to disappoint, but that’s just not going to be the case. But we need to understand the MAIN difference by being a believer and follower of Jesus Christ… look at what the verses we just read continue to say about those trials, troubles and sorrows…

James 1:2-3, “…consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow…”

Luke 17:1, “…what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!”

John 16:33, “…take heart, I have overcome the world.”

Romans 5:3, “…for we know that they (problems and trials) develop endurance…strength…character…and a confident hope…”

1 Peter 1:6-7, “These  trials will show that your faith is genuine…your faith remains strong through many trials…”

1 Peter 4:12-13, “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His Glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

2 Peter 2:9, “So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials…”

So as you can see, it’s not a matter of “if” you will go through trials, but “when.” And when you are feeling pressed, or pressured on every side, perplexed (unsure of a way out), hunted down and knocked down you have a Savior that is right there ready to lift you up, His hand is outstretched to lend you a hand. You don’t ever have to go through your earthly suffering alone! Jesus has already experienced all that we would ever have to go through, so we need to have full confidence in Him that He has everything under control.

Verse 4:10,

¹⁰ “Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

Let’s see if The Message Version explains this verse a little better…

¹⁰ “What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, He does IN us—HE LIVES!”

Christ lives IN us! He is alive and seated at the right hand of the Almighty God. He sees, He knows, He understands all we go through in our day. When we feel like our circumstances are getting too much, keep 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 in mind! We know trials will come.  But when they do, we will be ready. When difficulties come we are told in Romans 5:3 that the trials we go through help develop in us, “endurance…strength…character…and a confident hope…”

So instead of asking the Lord to remove every hardship, ask Him instead to show you how this situation can develop a never-ending endurance within you, to give you super-natural strength during the next trial, to build character within you that is modeled after Christ Himself and to have unwavering CONFIDENCE and HOPE.

God NEVER leaves us hanging. We have His Word, we have His promises. Lean on the Lord. Study the Bible, gain from Scripture the joy and fulfillment you need to make it through your day.

If something is going in your life right now, today, have you sought out the Lord for help? Have you asked the Lord for the guidance needed to bring you through whatever is going on? Is there a cloud of darkness hovering over you that doesn’t seem escapable? Does it weigh you down? All of those oppressed or depressed feelings are from Christ’s greatest enemy, Satan. If you are allowing Satan to put a wedge between you and the Lord or you’re allowing him to get comfortable in the troubles you’re going through, the trials, troubles, and sorrows will only increase. Because Satan would love to take you down. It’s time to put a stop to Satan’s torture in your life, turn your eyes towards Jesus, He’s your shining Light. He’s the one who keeps you from being crushed and driven to despair. He will never abandon you, no matter what you are going through, and He will never allow the enemy to destroy you. TURN YOUR EYES TOWARDS JESUS.

~AMEN~

• If you are at the point in your life where you know you need Jesus, please consider giving your heart and life over to Him today…

Pray this prayer…

Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.

If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you! And just as Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.