Vessel of Clay

DEVOTION

2 CORINTHIANS

VESSEL OF CLAY

2 Cor 4:7-12

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

NIV

There is a whole lot in here and not sure if we should spend a couple of devotions in here or not, but let us at least first start we these jars of clay. This treasure we carry is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have to notice that we carry it in jars of clay which represent us, just simple vessels of clay to be used in service by our owner. We see the reason for this is so that this all-surpassing power from God is shown rather than any human abilities that would promote pride, puffing us up, thinking we are so good, intelligent, and talented or something or that sort. We are but clay vessels, subject to being crushed, subject to being perplexed, persecuted and stuck down, yet because of the power of God at work in us we do not have to be despaired and we are not abandoned nor are we destroyed. This body we live in will experience all sorts of conditions; some of them may not be pleasant to deal with. Aches and pains, hurts, illness, and those things which are a result of just getting old. Some of us may have to experience crushing injuries which leave us impaired in some way, at least in the physical sense. Some might have to deal with mental injuries, like some wounded warriors are. All this is because we are but clay vessels. Yet all these situations should not get us down because we carry the light of the knowledge of the glory of God within us. We have to know those of the world are watching us to see how we react to pressures, to be hard pressed, even to death. But because we carry this light we must live in such a manner that Jesus is glorified. This is not in the check list of we don’t do this or that, but in how manner we deal with the situations of life, the hardships as well as the good times. we must see ourselves for who we are, simple clay vessels, yes we are the creation of God, yes we are made in his image, yes God does not make junk, but let us not be prideful, but respectful of the fact we are God’s workmanship for the purpose of showing his light to others. That is why he revealed the light of the knowledge of him in us. Yes he desired to save us, to reconciled himself to each one of us, but he desires that for all his creation, even those still blinded by the god of this world. Those words, make us, break us, mold us, fill us, use us ring so true in the this truth for we are his vessels of clay.