Morning Devotional 053125 Following God Leads to Glory

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  May 31, 2025

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”  Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Good Morning! O God, You are my God!

Through the Holy Spirit, we are being inwardly renewed each day. We face trials, separation, and loss, but all these are part of our road to glory. 

Our lives are filled with paradoxes. In creating us, God gives us a functional brain and heart. The two of these working together created complex situations filled with equally complex emotions. 

Sometimes, joy and sadness can be intertwined in a single situation. For example, you might be happy about an upcoming event while also feeling sad about the potential for change or the end of a period.

Consider the pain that is a natural part of the birthing process. Through this pain, we experience great joy as we celebrate new life. Each transition in our lives has the potential to evoke both great joy and sadness simultaneously. 

As I watched my granddaughter, Isabelle’s, graduation yesterday, I saw this play out in both the family who were watching and the graduates who completed their high school education. As the speeches are delivered, those of us who passed this milestone many years ago know that the lives of these young graduates will never return to this exact moment. Think of the friends that you assume would be in your lives forever, that you never see again following graduation. 

Each rite of passage provides new twists and challenges in our lives. We encounter the complex emotions of happiness coupled with sadness many times in our lives, but all this is preparation for our ultimate transition to eternal life with God. 

For now, 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev. 21:4

Giving Lord, who blesses us abundantly! Thank you for allowing us to live amazing lives. Without your love, we could not love. Sometimes our love causes us pain, but your love overcomes even our biggest challenges. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: When we feel hurt and despair, God lifts and heals us.

Follow God all of our days! Pastor Liz