IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Treasure in Jars of Clay

Date: Oct. 22, 2026

Passage

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Treasure in Jars of Clay

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 also may 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.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

We contain the treasure of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ (6). The fact that we are weak in ourselves, like jars of clay, serves to display God’s power in our lives as he brings us through all kinds of trials and hardships. Giving ourselves over to death for Jesus’ sake also causes his life to be displayed in us.

This kind of resurrection faith emboldens us to speak the word so that more people can be reached by the grace of God. This benefits the whole community, and we are filled with praise and thanksgiving.

God working in us this way is encouraging. Our weakness and troubles mean inward renewal and a hope of a much greater future glory. We look beyond the visible, temporal things to the eternal.

Prayer: Praise you Lord, that your power and life are displayed as I go the way of the cross.

One Word: Fix your eyes on the eternal

Daily Bread

The Lord Judges the Proud

Psalm 75:1-10

Key Verse: 75:2

“At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.

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