Revival in Oppression

Pastor Nolan Galido

Inspire Church Metro Manila
 

Scripture

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8 (NLT)

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Observation

Here we have Paul writing a letter to the Church in Corinth with an encouraging word that still holds as a reminder to this day. He lets them know that though they may be in trouble, though life is perplexed, though they are being opposed and persecuted, though they get knocked down… that is not the end of the story. As we suffer like Jesus suffered, we must hold on to the hope that we will also have the resurrection life that Jesus had.

It is too easy to focus on the suffering. We need to remember the life that Jesus gave to us. 

Application

I’m not sure how it happened, but when I first started my relationship with Jesus, I thought bad things would not happen to me anymore. I had the assumption that everything would be easy, but of course, I soon realized that is not true. We still live in a fallen world, but the good news is we have Jesus’ resurrection power living in us when we surrender our lives to Him.

So, this new year, there may be times where you feel the weight of the world. But take heart! You will not be crushed, you will not be driven to despair, you will not be abandoned by God, and you will not be destroyed.

Prayer 

Lord, thank You for overcoming the word. Thank You that present circumstances do not determine future blessings. So, I hold on to You during this time of oppression, and I believe that though there may be suffering, You are my life! AMEN.

Reflection

What part of your life feels like it’s not going according to plan? Now remember that God will not abandon you!