For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. – 2 Corinthians 4:17
Pressing olives to extract their oil has been practiced in the Middle East for over 5,000 years. The earliest example of an olive press was found in the ancient city of Tel Hadar in Israel. Other ancient presses have been discovered in Greece, Italy, and Morocco. The press works by applying pressure to mashed olive paste to separate the liquid oil from the olive fruit. Similarly, wine is extracted from grapes by crushing and pressure. The end products of olive oil or wine are available no other way.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul recounts his sufferings, times he was crushed and under pressure in ways that few endure. Yet, in what Pastor David Platt calls his “radically God-centered worldview, Paul calls such suffering ‘light’ and momentary.’” From his Eternal Word Bible Commentary, pastor David Guzik “reminds us that a coming glory… outweighs any of today’s difficulties.” Indeed, that was Paul’s confidence. Theologian Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote, “I am sure I have derived more real benefit and permanent strength and growth in grace, and every precious thing, from the furnace of affliction, than I have ever derived from prosperity.”
Fix your eyes on Jesus. Look ahead to the glories of being in eternal union with Him. Your current sufferings—that could very well be crushing and pressing in on you—may draw you into a closer, sweeter fellowship with Jesus, as you pray for an altered perspective. Through your patient endurance, allow God to work through your afflictions today, knowing He is using them for your eternal good. “When all my labors and trials are o’er, and I am safe on that beautiful shore, just to be near the dear lord I adore will through the ages be glory for me.”
Today’s Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:17
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
