“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
“For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
I think most of us would agree that this year has been difficult. Nevertheless, we must never allow fear to take hold, but must always remember that God is in control. He always was, is, and always will be. The year 2020 is like a long, difficult night… we feel sorrow. We weep. But we can’t stop there! No, God promises us that the night will end and there will be rejoicing in the morning!
One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 because I relate to it so well. I have experienced significant hardships and loss in my lifetime. I have felt hard pressed on every side. I’ve felt perplexed, persecuted and even struck down. Haven’t you? I could have easily given up hope, but I have chosen joy because of the treasure inside me – the all-surpassing power that is from God and not from me. Because I am a follower of Jesus Christ, I have hope! I may be hard-pressed, but I will never be crushed. I can never be in despair. I will never be abandoned. The enemy cannot destroy me. All because of Jesus in me.
One of my favorite songs is Trading My Sorrows (Yes Lord) by Darrell Patton Evans. It goes like this:
I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen
I'm pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure
And His joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning
No matter what you’ve gone through, no matter what you’re going through now… God is with us always. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Morning is coming! Hold on… Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning!