NOVEMBER 26

PROCESSED TO HIS GLORY

“That the excellency of the power may be of God, an not of us.”
(II Corinthians 4:7)

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed.” Literally, I am squeezed but I am not confined. I am crowded on every side, but not crushed. Every natural situation might be pressing in from all sides, and yet the inner man is free, because of the liberty of the Spirit of the Christ-life within.

“We are perplexed, but not in despair.” Perplexed – from the Greek, it means to be without a passage, while the word ‘despair’ is to have no outlet whatever. Rotherham gives, “without a way, but not without a by-way”. Self would like the smooth going of the broad freeway, an easy way. God directs us along that by-way, hemmed in, pressured, bowed low, a path of humility, but He always makes a way where there seems to be no way.

“Persecuted, but not forsaken.” Rotherham – “pursued, but not abandoned.” There is that pursuit that is heavy on our heels, which keeps us looking unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith, but He has not abandoned us. He knows just how much persecution to allow for our development and processing, but He has not left us alone. He is there in the fire with us, and watching with tender care to bring us forth as pure gold, to His praise.

“Cast down, but not destroyed.” Williams uses a present day vernacular, “always getting a knock-down, but never a knock-out”. “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I SHALL ARISE; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a Light unto me,” (Micah 7:8). There is no condemnation in getting knocked down. This is part of our travail given to exercise us. But because of Him who ABIDES WITHIN we are never knocked out. With each staggering blow He enables us to RISE AGAIN and press onward.

“Dying, yet living.” “Always being exposed to death as Jesus was, so that in my body the life of Jesus may be clearly shown,” (II Cor. 4:8-10). The life of Christ cannot be revealed in and through us, as long as our own self-interests remain enthroned – hence these processings. But all to His glory and ultimate praise.

Ray Prinzing

Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700

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