25 Sep October 23rd Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

DO NOT LOSE HEART

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 “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.”

The Olympics are over.  Every Olympic game produces a story of an athlete or two that overcomes all kinds of unbelievable adversity to not only become a participant but ultimately stands on the top step of the podium receiving a gold medal.

Today’s devotional verse addresses the adversities, challenges, and disappointments that occur in the lives of so many.  Perhaps you too have had obstacles that have gotten in your way. God may have granted you a way to overcome them.  Then, again, He may have permitted them to remain in your life to this very day and they may remain until the last day of your earthly life.

“Do not lose heart!” (2 Corinthians 4:16) Do not give up!  St. Paul wrote, “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.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)  Your chronic health condition may remain with you.  Your financial life may not improve.  You will continue to struggle with sin, the world and Satan.  Do not lose heart!

How is it possible for you to continue to live with adversity, challenges, and set-backs?  St. Paul says, by keeping your faith in God’s promise of eternal glory.  Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35) In the next two verses He asked this rhetorical question, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)

You can have a bushel full of hundred-dollar bills.  Your health can be perfect.  You can successfully climb the corporate ladder.  In the end, you cannot take any of this with you when you die.  The eternal glory God has promised you through His gracious gift of faith in Christ Jesus “outweighs” all that the world wants to give you.  “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

Prayer:  Lord, grant me a faith and trust in You whereby I never give up.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

I leave all things to God’s direction; He loves me both in joy and woe.

His will is good, sure His affection; His tender love is true, I know.

My fortress and my rock is He:  What pleases God, that pleases me.

God knows what must be done to save me;

His love for me will never cease. Upon His hands He did engrave me

With purest gold of loving grace.  His will supreme must ever be:

What pleases God, that pleases me.

My God desires the soul’s salvation; My soul he, too, desires to save.

Therefore with Christian resignation All earthly troubles I will brave.

His will be done eternally:  What pleases God, that pleases me.

My God has all things in His keeping; He is the ever faithful friend.

He gives me laughter after weeping,

And all His ways in blessings end. His love endues eternally:

What pleases God, that pleases me.

(LSB 719)