Monday, February 22, 2021
How many of you have problems? We all do. Today, I want to talk to you about God's power in our problems. We have problems every day. That could be small problems or big problems. It could be a momentary problem that's a week, month, year long or it could be a lifelong problem, for all I know. I don't know, but I do know when you have a problem it's an opportunity for God
Monday, February 22, 2021
How many of you have problems? We all do. Today, I want to talk to you about God's power in our problems. We have problems every day. That could be small problems or big problems. It could be a momentary problem that's a week, month, year long or it could be a lifelong problem, for all I know. I don't know, but I do know when you have a problem it's an opportunity for God to show His power in your problems. For God to take you through that problem. He may not resolve the problem, but he'll resolve you to have the resolve you need to work through that problem while it exists.
In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul, writes his most personal letter where he was talking about defending his ministry and all the struggles he had to critical Corinthians who questioned his motives. He says this in verses 7-9, "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".
"This treasure" is God's life in us when we become a Christian. We're jars of clay, holding a treasure and the treasure is the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ. We have this treasure to show that this all surpassing power that lives in us is from God and not from us. That's one of the reasons why God allows problems in our lives -- so that we don't think that we can manage life on our own, but so we understand we can only manage life when his power is in charge, when his power is actually managing it. Then he gives some examples. I love this very powerful, famous list. He says this, "we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed". What's he saying? We have a litany of problems, but we always press on through them. And no problem can stop us, you know why? Because of the power of God in us. Yes, in and of ourselves we are just jars of clay, fragile. The whole purpose of the jar of clay is to house the power of God. Even though we're jars of clay and fragile, in us is the power of God, to preserve us, despite our fragility.
What problem has pressed you down? What problem has perplexed you? What problem has made you feel like you have to solve it on your own? God's power in you can help you go through that problem. How? Through the Holy Spirit. His spirit lives in you to show his power and to demonstrate it. How will he do it? I don't know. Depends on the problem, it depends on where you're at, it depends on so many different factors. But I know this, he will show up strong for you in a way that you can see if your spiritual eyes are open to it.
Life is filled with problems. Most of the problems, you can't change, some of them you invite in your life (change your behavior so you don't invite those problems in your life), but for the rest, the whole purpose of your problems is for God to show his power in your life through them. You want him to show his power in your life? You can. Surrender, let go and let God, give up, yield. Surrender to God's Spirit in you, because if you're a Christian, God's Spirit is in you. Let him demonstrate his power.
Let's pray. Lord, I don't know those who are reading this and what their problems are, the nature of them, how long they've been going on, how perplexing, discouraging, disappointing or crushing they have seemed to be. But I know this, if we get up one more time then we fall down, we win. But we can't get up on our own. We need your power, your power in these earthen jars of clay, these fragile vessels. Work in my life, work in the life of everybody reading. Help them know how to yield to your power and that your power will get them through in their moment of weakness and help them get through their problems no matter if their problem stays, or their problem is extinguished. Thank you for this. We claim it by faith in Jesus name. Amen.
God has power for all of your problems, not one problem you can't solve. Let him get to work for you.
