But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV)
What is the treasure hidden inside the jars of clay? Why would God use jars of clay to hide treasure? Does God’s power hold the jars together? Is God’s power holding you together? Let’s explore the answers to these questions and find out how great our God is!
Treasure ~ “thesauros” in the Greek
…His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise: rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. (Habakkuk 3:3-4)
I have lived through almost 11,000 sunrises and sunsets. That’s pretty incredible! I don’t know how old you are or where God has you right now, but take a moment to think about how many sunrises and sunsets you’ve lived through. I’m not talking about the ones you’ve been able to see, I’m talking about the ones you’ve lived through. I have been alive for almost 11,000.
Last week, I started a “Celebration of Life” series. I will be turning 30 in June and have been looking back through my time on this earth. God has been so good to me! I’m not saying that life has always been good, but I am saying God has been good! Life has been hard at times! In fact, it’s been down right difficult, but God has been extremely faithful! That is the one thing that I want to share with you throughout my series on the “Celebration of Life.” God will always be faithful! He will not fail us!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, “Come as you are. No jacket required,” and found the location.
Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy.