Let Your Light Shine

 

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Is anyone troubled? Is anyone feeling distressed? Anyone feeling persecuted? How about cast down?

Looking around our world today, we are definitely troubled and perplexed and persecuted and there are days where we feel utterly cast down and beaten.

We are afflicted on every side and confused, mistreated and in a tight place. The restrictions our governments are putting on us are not logical and don’t seem to make any sense. But this is not the first time in our history that this has happened.

It was happening in Paul’s day. Yes, even way back then, maybe not a pandemic, but there was persecution and distress and troubles. And yet, Paul encouraged himself in the Lord. He was able to say boldly, we are troubled, but not distressed, perplexed but not despairing, persecuted, but not forsaken by the Lord, cast down, depressed, stressed and fearful, but not destroyed.

How could he say that and how can we? How can we have such faith and trust in the Lord that we can bear all these hard things with joy?

He was able to say it because he had God’s help. He believed in God and he had faith that God would deliver. And we can do it with God’s help. We can do it with God’s strength. There is no way we can do it on our own and we certainly can’t trust in our country and the laws made. Our only hope and salvation is in the Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God promises us, as believers, over and over in his Word, that he will be there for us. He will be our rock, our strength, our guide, our help. He promises to go before us and lead us and not forsake us. We need to have faith and trust that what he says he will do, he will do.

And then, as we go through these trials, we are to respond to the pressure the right way. These verses tell us something interesting and well worth noting. The reason for trials.

“….. that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

Why the trials? So that God can be seen in us. So that God’s glory will be made manifest, seen, made known, recognised and understood.

As God brings difficulties into our lives and the pressure bears down, we are crushed and broken in order that we can be purified and made more like him. As we surrender to his will and obey him, he is made manifest in us.

Often a vessel has to be broken in order for the treasure to be discovered and it is the same way with us. It is God’s will that we suffer in order to let our light shine all the more brightly. Often our times of growth are borne out of sorrow. The hard times draw us closer to him. They see us praying more often, reading the Word more fervently and listening more closely to his still, small voice.

We can gain the strength to be troubled, but not distressed. We may be confused and perplexed as we look around us, but we need not despair. God is in control and he is still God. The Almighty. The King of Kings.

We may feel cast down, discouraged and disheartened, but we can rise up and not be destroyed. We can choose to let the pressures crush us and render us useless, or we can choose to let them make us stronger. Like the folding of steel upon steel, over and over, cast into the fire multiple times, but coming out stronger and more useful than ever before.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We can be shining lights in a darkened world. Our world is definitely dark. There is evil on every side and it’s up to us to shine the light into the blinded eyes of the lost.

How will the world know of the hope we find in Christ, if we do not show them? We need to, through our testimony, through our unwavering trust in the Lord, show the lost world who Jesus is and what he can do for them.

If we can but respond to the trials we face, with joy and with the mindset of knowing God is in it and will work things for his good, we will see God work. The world is looking for answers. They are held in sin’s grip and they are walking blindly, groping in the dark. Give them some light to be drawn to. Radiate the love of Christ through your actions, your words, your attitude.

Face your fears head on. Face your trials with joy. Face your difficulties without distress, without despair. Trust in the Lord completely, no matter the circumstances. Daily talk with him in prayer, asking for wisdom for each and every decision you need to make. Soak your soul in his precious Word and claim the promises as your very own.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

And as the Lord blesses you for your faithfulness, be sure to share it with others. Don’t limit yourself to sharing only with other believers. Tell the lost of God’s goodness. Proclaim God’s love to everyone you meet. Ask God for opportunities to share and for boldness when that time comes.

If ever the world needed a message of hope, now is that time!

Yes, we’re troubled, perplexed, persecuted and cast down, but we don’t have to walk around living like we are. We can live victorious lives. We have an overcomer. We have a Saviour. The Devil may think he has the upper hand, but he is defeated already, he just wants to take as many with him as he can. Don’t let him think he’s winning. Shove the gospel down his throat and get out there and light your world.

Shine the light of the gospel into the darkness of the world. Rise up and praise God. Give God your fears and trust in him. Let go of your stress and worry and let the burdens roll away. God is big enough for you to cast your cares on him. You don’t have to carry them.

Let your light shine!

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

C.R.