Hope in Christ

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our own body."
Around the turn of the twentieth century, a bar of steel was worth about $5.00. Yet when that same bar of steel was made into horseshoes, it was worth $10.00. When that same bar was made into much needed medical needles, the value went up to about $350.00. When it was used to make small pocketknife blades, it's worth was $32,000.00. When that same bar of steel was used to make springs for watches, it's value increased to $250,000.00! What a pounding the steel bar must have endured to be worth such a price..but the more it was shaped, hammered, put through the fire, beaten, pounded, and polished, the greater the value.
In the verses above, Paul reminds us that even when we are at the end of our rope, we are never at the end of our hope. Today I want to encourage each of you about your worth and value to God. Every one of you are priceless to Him. In fact, your worth to Him is so great, that He would give up His only begotten Son..and He would have done that..just for you! If you were the only person alive at the time that Jesus went to the cross, He still would have laid down His life..just for you.
The supremely valuable message of hope in Christ Jesus has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings. Paul's focus however, was not on the perishable container, but on it's priceless content...YOU!.. For every humiliation, every rejection, and for every time that you feel pressed on every side, and pounded by life..God is there. He is carrying you through every situation and He sees what you cannot see. He knows that every time you face something painful, something difficult..and you are pressed on all sides, the power of God rests on you. He knows that something beautiful is happening IN you as His power rests on you. YOU are a treasure to God..you may not FEEL like it..but don't go by feelings..live by what is true. He is the author and FINISHER of our faith. He knows what lies inside of you..and He is more meticulous with your life than even the greatest artist who ever lived is with his canvas. Today, as you face daily challenges, remind yourself that His power rests on your life.