2 Corinthians 4:17 – “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”
I read a story about a woman in Haiti that was caught under a collapsed house and rubble during the earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. She told of how she immediately began quoting Psalm 91. Still under the house, on Wednesday she quoted Psalm 91, on Thursday she quoted Psalm 91, on Friday she quoted Psalm 91, then on Saturday, when the rescuers found her under the heavy rock and debri, she was still quoting Psalm 91.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17, it says that we receive abundant grace. How? Through thanksgiving. The word grace is the same word for favor. I can’t stop telling of what thanksgiving can do for you! You might think and say, “I don’t have anything to give thanks for. They just turned off my lights”. Well, light a candle and thank God for the light! Paul calls this a “light affliction”, or trouble, compared to what God has waiting for you.
First, he says that this light affliction is “but for a moment”. Your trouble has an expiration date on it, it’s not going to last forever, it has a beginning, middle and ending. Praise God! Second, he says that “it’s working for us”. Your trouble is an “employee” and it’s working for you. It’s like those work-out gurus on TV. You can sit on the couch and watch the people work-out with a bag of chips and gain five pounds, or you can get busy and work-out. There is no growth or development without exertion or pressure. This trouble is exerting pressure for the purpose of your growth or development!
In 2 Corinthians 4:16, it says, “For which cause we faint not”. The word faint in the Greek means quit. There is no quit option in you! You’re not giving up. You’re not following the way of least resistance. You are outlasting your light affliction. You will see the vision God gave you come to pass. IF YOU DON’T QUIT! Remember, this affliction has an expiration date, a finish line. There is a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” waiting for you. Keep your eyes and heart fixed on the promises of God. You’re a winner in troubled times!!