2 Corinthians 4 (1)

Pray Psalm 40.1-3.
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.

Sing Psalm 40.1-3.
(Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry,
lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save.

Read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 4.1-4.

Preparation
1. How did Paul commend himself to the consciences of others?

2. Why are some people’s minds blind to the Gospel?

Meditation
Ministering the grace of the Lord throughout your Personal Mission Field can be frustrating. You want people to know the Lord and to rejoice in Him, but it seems your opportunities for witness-bearing or encouraging a fellow believer are few and far between. And when you do step up to the plate, you often feel like you’ve struck out.

Don’t lose heart! Yes, as Paul admitted, doing the Lord’s work is difficult. We have received a ministry just as Paul did (v. 1), so we should expect nothing less than what he knew. Follow his example of forthrightness, purity, truth, and God-honoring living (vv. 1, 2), all the while knowing that some people will never get it. The veil that smothers their hearts and the lies that blind their eyes are just too dense (v. 3). At least, for now.

Why? Because “the god of this age” (v. 4) has powerful hold on people, even on some believers. This is not a reference to the devil. Jesus indicated that he has already been dethroned and bound (cf. Jn. 12.32; Matt. 12.22-29). A better way of translating this phrase, which lines up well with Paul’s teaching in Romans 1.18-32, is “the god which consists of this age”. It’s not that the lost people of this world don’t have their own gods. They do, and largely these consist of the stuff of this material world. The more they seek and cling to these things, the blinder they become to the truth that is in Jesus.

But we do not lose heart (v. 1), because we know the truth is power, the Spirit is lively, and the lies of this wrong-believing age can never satisfy the deep need of people’s souls. Only Jesus can do that, and when it pleases Him to show His glory, He will do so. And He may even do so through us.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Jesus’ ministry encompassed many towns and lots of people. He and His disciples spread abroad His message of the Kingdom and of new life through repentance and forgiveness. Jesus was perfect. He loved people perfectly. He was a man of integrity, kindness, and a perfect follower of the Law of God. He did all things well. Surely all who heard Him would not have hearts that were veiled. He was not only the perfect Deliverer of the truth, He was the Truth; and yet, not all who heard Him believed in Him.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are two examples that come to mind. We read in John’s gospel:

“After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews…” and “Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night (Jn. 3.1, 2), also came…” (Jn. 19.38, 39). These two secretive and fearful men, where belief in the Gospel was concerned, both presented themselves before the man who had just sentenced Jesus to death, and asked for His body, to give Him a proper burial.

The Holy Spirit “is lively” and suddenly removed the veil “that smothered their hearts and blinded their eyes”; and they became courageous and bold and were willing to lose everything, all their earthly gods, for Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Because finally they realized, like Peter did, they had no one else to go to: “You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Jn. 6.68, 69). And that made all the difference!

Jesus did not lose heart in His ministry, nor did Paul, nor should we: “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Heb. 12.3).

They prevailed because they fully believed the promises of God: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31.6).

And about the people we dearly love—longing daily for them to believe this Good News—the Holy Spirit will act, in His time, and powerful way, to shine “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” into their once-veiled hearts to liberate them into the Truth.

Joseph and Nicodemus finally came around.

So keep praying, keep sharing, and don’t ever lose heart!

For reflection
1. What could cause you to “lose heart” in your walk with and work for the Lord?

2. What should you do when you feel like you’re losing heart?

3. Whom will you encourage today not to lose heart in our work for the Lord?

The best of men would faint, if they did not receive mercy from God. And that mercy which has helped us out, and helped us on, hitherto, we may rely upon to help us even to the end. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4.1-7

Pray Psalm 40.9-13.
Pray for an opportunity to encourage a fellow believer and to share the Good News of Jesus with a friend. Ask God for mercy and grace to meet all your needs today.

Sing Psalm 40.9-13.
(Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
LORD, Your truth will I proclaim to Your people gathered ‘round,
nor will I my lips restrain—let Your precious ways resound!
Of Your saving grace and Word I would speak, most loving LORD.

Keep Your mercy not from me; let Your love and truth prevail.
Evil and iniquity make my trembling heart to fail.
LORD, be pleased to rescue me! Let my shelter with You be.

T. M. and Susie Moore

The Church in Corinth was in need of revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today needs revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us to discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.