That Is Why We Never Give Up. Though Our Bodies Are Dying, Our Spirits Are Being Renewed Every Day
Praying In The Spirit
2 CORINTHIANS 416-18
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
”II Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/2co.4.16-18.nkj
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It is easy to lose heart and give up as we face trials and troubles day after day. It seems like the “same old” follows us day after day, week after week, month after month and so on; as soon as one trial passes, another falls upon us.
Whether in our relationships, our work, or education, or in our health or ministry, or even between our spirit and flesh (ROMANS 7:13-25), painful challenges will come.
It was no different for Paul, he faced persecution after persecution: He was seized, dragged out of the Temple and beaten and then bound in chains. He had to be carried because the violence of the mob was so great (ACTS 21:27-36). He was arrested time after time (ACTS 21:33; 22:24; 31-35; 28:16); he faced accusation after accusation (ACTS 21:34; 22:30; 24:1-2; 25:2; 7; 28:4), and interrogation after interrogation (ACTS 25:24-27), ridiculed (ACT 26:24), shipwrecked (ACTS 27:41), and bitten by a viper 28:3), he was most likely put to death for his service to the Lord; but even in death he won the race (2 Timothy 4:6-7).
Paul never gave up, rather than quitting, he called upon the Holy Spirit for inner strength (EPHESIANS 3:16).
We like Paul, should not allow our troubles to crush our faith or disillusion us. But rather call upon our inner strength that comes from the Holy Spirit in us to lead us to victory through every situation.
We believers need to understand that there is real purpose in our suffering. They remind us of Christ suffering; they keep us from pride; they cause us to look beyond this temporary life; and they give us opportunity to demonstrate God’s power.
James tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NKJV
My beloved, this life is but temporary, and the best is yet to come. Our ultimate hope when facing such traumatic circumstances-persecution, troubles or pain is the reality that this life is not all there is; we believers have a wonderful future ahead of us, where their will be no more suffering, pain, or even death. Their will be no funerals to attend, no mourning, no sickness, for all these things shall pass away, God will live among us and He shall wipe away our tears (REVELATION 21:3-4).
But what are the things not seen?
This physical world along with our physical bodies will pass away, but the spiritual realm is eternal.
To focus on the unseen is to focus on the spiritual realms, the unseen.
If we are to be victorious, our battles must be fought on our knees, praying in the Spirit (EPHESIANS 6:18). Prayer is conversion with God.
Jesus said, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.”
John 3:13 NKJV
Jesus was able to ascend into the spiritual realms whilst His physical body remained firmly on the ground before He died on a cross and was risen; yet, though He was God, He did not use His Devine privileges as something to cling to.
My beloved, today, because of what Jesus has done, we like Christ, can ascend into the spiritual realms while our physical body remains firmly on the ground, praying in the Spirit (EPHESIANS 6:18).
Jesus said, ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
John 14:12 NKJV
I’m not saying that we are Christ equals, but the things He did, we will do also as we become more Christ like because the Holy Spirit lives in us (JOHN 14:15-18).
Therefore, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalms 91:1 NKJV
Focus on the unseen, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18 NKJV
I encourage you, whatever circumstance you are facing, take it into God’s garden, the unseen, for the battle belongs to the Lord. Jesus said, ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:12-14 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
