“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”- 2 Cor. 4:16
Here is an undeniable fact, “our outward man” will “perish“. You could say we are dying as we live. Every beat of our heart brings us closer to the grave. But it does more than that. The Greek word translated “perish” means “to change for the worse, to corrupt, consume”. Living out our allotted time with each day at the peak of our health is one thing, living the same amount of time wasting away is another. Ask any elderly person and they will tell you that they have wished they could feel as they did when they were young–even for a day. But they can’t. Solomon describes old age in Ecc. 12:1-7. Read it and you might weep.
But Paul puts sunshine in this dark picture. He changes from this depressing prospect to a delightful possibility. He says, “yet the inward man is renewed day by day”. Life is tough and those who are serious about serving God subject themselves to even greater trials. Becoming a Christian is easy. Being a Christian is hard. Christ imposes great demands on His disciples and as we weaken physically the struggle to keep going becomes more intense. But there is good news also–“the inward man is renewed day by day”. Thank God for that! We could not keep going without it.
The point is that, regardless of the situation God is able to supply our need. He does so one day at a time. However high His expectations are His grace is sufficient to raise us to that level. — HDS
Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
