“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV).
The combined effect of having received both the “mercy” and the “ministry” of the gospel strengthened the apostle Paul, so that he did not “lose heart.” Whenever he felt discouraged, he remembered that, through the gospel, God had shown him mercy. If the Lord Jesus hadn’t interrupted his trip to Damascus, if He hadn’t sent Ananias to open his eyes and disciple him, he would still be dead in his sins. But God had shown him mercy. How much more should the apostle be willing to share this message of mercy to others! It was this double dose of mercy– that it both saved him and sent him– that strengthened Paul.
The same should cause us to persevere and not to lose heart. For even when we suffer trouble, God is merciful. And it is often in these times of trouble when “the life of Jesus [is] manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Cor. 4:11). So the way that we face trials without losing heart reveals Christ in us to others.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to remember Your mercy and ministry. And when trouble comes our way, strengthen us so that we do not lose heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.