Title: Treasure in a Earthen Bowl
Contents
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1. God is our refuge and strength, a great help in trouble.
2. Therefore, whether the earth changes or the mountains shake and fall into the midst of the sea,
3. We will not fear, though the seas rise up and leap, though the mountains shake with their overflow. (Selah)
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6. The same God who said, Let there be light in darkness, has shone in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that it may be known that exceedingly great power belongs to God and not to us.
8. We are afflicted on every side, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, but we are not discouraged;
9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; overthrown, but not destroyed
10. We always carry in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
11. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
Content
Subject: Treasure in a Earthen Bowl
Text: Psalm 46:1-3, 2 Corinthians 4:6-11
The expression “earth-quake” appears 17 times in the Bible. The representative earthquake mentioned in the Old Testament is the “earthquake in the era of Jeroboam II (793-753 B.C.)” (Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5). The typical earthquake mentioned in the New Testament will occur in the last days (Revelation 16:18). In addition, it appears in Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:11-12), the suffering and resurrection of Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:51; 28:2), and Paul's prison in Philippi (Acts 16:26). Earthquakes themselves should be evaluated from the viewpoint of natural phenomena. The understanding of natural phenomena will vary from person to person. It is reminiscent of the words of the 18th century French philosopher Montesquieu. 'The devout and the atheist always speak of religion. The former speaks of what he loves, the latter what he fears.’ Man is always vulnerable to the power of nature.
The grace we find through today's Old Testament text (Psalm 46:1-3) is in the same vein. Human suffering does not in itself speak of good or evil. It makes you think about your reactions to them. ‘God is our refuge. strength, a great help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). God's role is not to avoid tribulation. It is to be a “a very present help” to meet during tribulation. It is the grace that allows us to experience the presence (Immanuel?) with us in the field of misery and disaster (Psalm 91:15). These graces we receive from God are qualitatively different from those of the world. “Great peace is with those who love your law, and there will be no obstacle for them” (Psalm 119:165). This is the grace that people of faith experience in the midst of tribulation that they may experience at times.
The song of David that all lament is Psalm 23:4. ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me.’ The ‘valley of the shadow of death’ here refers to the afflictions you will experience. The content of Psalm 46:2-3 describes the crisis situation of the Gyeongcheondongji, which can be compared to severe natural disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and floods. And this is not just a natural disaster, but a crisis situation that threatens human life. This is the believer's reaction to this. “We will not fear” (Psalm 46:3b). This is not a rant or rant, but a confession of faith and a declaration.
Today's New Testament text (2 Corinthians 4:6-11) also speaks of human weakness and God's help. “The same God who said, ‘Let there be light out of darkness,’ has shone into our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). These words are reminiscent of the blessings of the priests in the Old Testament times (Numbers 6:24-26). And in the New Testament era, this word is called the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17). ‘Treasure in earthenware’ (2 Corinthians 4:7) is the spiritual state of a Christian who has the Christian faith in his heart. Verses 8-9 refer to all of the difficulties experienced through time and space. Nevertheless, it rises again like Ottogi. It is thanks to God who makes the life of Jesus manifest in our bodies. The following words (2 Corinthians 4:12-18) are also a declaration of faith in the resurrection to live again after death.