by Rev Steve Nickodemus

No throwaways…

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-8

Do you ever feel like you are worthless and no one cares about you? Do you feel that even God Himself has abandoned you and destined you for the Great Dumpster of Throwaways?

Perhaps others have smacked you around and hurt you and wounded you. Perhaps you are hard pressed and stressed and put upon by life. Perhaps you feel you have failed others and even God. Perhaps you are questioning whether God even cares about you.

Saint Paul reminds us that though the world may have hurt us and wounded us, that life may be hard and our hearts heavy, and that you may even question whether God can love you, we are loved and wanted and valued. For God has put His very life into us, He has placed the light of His Son into our hearts, and we contain a treasure far, far beyond all value.

And even though our circumstances may be hard, and friends may have betrayed us, and our bodies may be hurting, and our minds doubt God’s love, we will not be defeated. Though we may be hard pressed, we are not crushed, and though persecuted, we are not abandoned. The Light of Jesus Christ burns within us and God will not abandon His treasure!

You are redeemed by Christ the crucified and made one of God’s children, and you will never be abandoned by Him. You are the treasure close to God’s heart. And the Father will not forget you. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado