When William Wilberforce dedicated his life to God, many in his social circle scorned such enthusiastic Christian commitment. Undaunted, William discerned a clear sense of God’s purpose to use his political position to abolish the slave trade. The gruelling work, the opposition to his ideas, and the contempt for his faith took their toll on his already poor health, but William never lost heart. After twenty years of campaigning, Parliament abolished the British slave trade, and after another thirty, it banned slavery in all the British colonies.
Paul and his contemporaries also faced immense and painful discouragements while fulfilling God’s ministry of sharing Jesus’ life-transforming truth. But “we do not lose heart,” wrote Paul (2 Corinthians 4:1). Some minds remained “blind” to their message as the enemy hindered belief (vv. 3–4). And Paul acknowledged their own human frailty as being like easily broken “jars of clay”. But as the missionaries relied on God, His strength sustained them through many hardships (vv. 7–9 ). And as they focused on the glorious life awaiting them in heaven, they did not “lose heart”, for their present burdens, in comparison, seemed “light and momentary” (vv. 16–17).
Many of us face great challenges too, even as we pursue God’s purposes. But as we lift our eyes from our problems onto His ever-present sustaining strength and our hope for life in heaven, His tender care, provision and promises reassure our hearts.
By Anne Le Tissier
REFLECT & PRAY
What challenges are you facing today as you seek to live well for Jesus and convey God’s truth to others? How do God’s presence by His Spirit and His promise of life in heaven inspire your heart to persevere?
Faithful God, thank You for Your promise to remain with me no matter what I face, and for the joyful hope of living with You forever.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul begins 2 Corinthians with heartfelt words of comfort (1:3–7) and returns to that theme in 4:16–18. In tandem with this comfort, however, he relates the difficulties he and his coworkers have endured: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself” (1:8). In chapter 4, he says, “We are hard pressed on every side” ( v. 8), “persecuted” and “struck down” (v. 9). We “carry around in our body the death of Jesus” (v. 10). But Paul is quick to note that we’re “not abandoned” (v. 9) and adds, “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” ( v. 14). That’s why he can bracket this chapter with the theme of hopeful perseverance: “We do not lose heart” (4:1, 16).
Tim Gustafson
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