2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSV)
Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 on biblegateway.com
Verse 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. Verse 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Verse 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. Verse 6For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Devotion
Some members of the congregation in Corinth were concerned that Paul’s preaching of the good news of God’s presence in the world was not clear enough. It was too veiled. They wanted more insight, answers and explanations about what God was doing in the world. God was present with Elijah, Elisha and with the psalmists, but where is God today? Where is God in the violence in the Middle East and in times of flood and drought?
In response to these questions Paul does not offer up easy answers. There is darkness in the world. Even the creation yearns for redemption. From the glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus, however, we know that our Creator is with us in the pain and darkness of the world.
We thank you God for choosing in Jesus Christ to walk with us where we are. Enable us to look beyond pain and through darkness to the new things that you would do in the world through us. Amen.
Prayer
We thank you God for choosing in Jesus Christ to walk with us where we are. Enable us to look beyond pain and through darkness to the new things that you would do in the world through us. Amen.