#MorningGlory
RTTBROS
Inward Renewal
by Dr. Paul Chappell
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
One of the most compelling examples of Jesus sharing the gospel is the story of the woman at the well. There in Samaria, where Jewish people normally did not go, Jesus spoke to a woman who was shunned by her community because of her immoral lifestyle. He offered her hope and a new life which she gladly received and then went to share with others. Their conversation took place while the disciples had gone to buy food. When they returned and offered it to Jesus, He refused it. “But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:32-24).
When we do God's work with the diligence that it deserves and requires, we will get tired. But when we do, we also have a source of strength and renewal available to us. Most of us will never endure anything close to what Paul experienced, yet he called his suffering “light affliction.” That is not because the pain was not real, but because he was comparing it to something more important. Additionally, he was experiencing inward renewal—being strengthened by the Holy Spirit so that he could continue the work. We have that same resource available to us, so that we can receive the inward strength to keep going on for God no matter what happens.
Today's Growth Principle:
We do not work for God in our own strength, and when we come to Him, He will provide what we need.
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