"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh in us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Part 1
Today: Our Temporary Light Suffering
“For our light affliction.”
The Apostle Paul probably has the record for living through not only the most afflictions but some of the most hideously painful circumstances possible. The Holy Spirit had Paul write out for us in his personal testimony of suffering, many of the unusual and threatening problems he’s had to face (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). His story of God’s grace is remarkable. When we start to feel sad about our own troubles, it would be good for us to remind ourselves that Paul survived much more than we have faced so far, and he gives God the glory.
The thing that may be the most surprising about the adversities that Paul went through is his attitude. He kept on thinking about himself, his afflictions, and his Lord correctly, with a godly heart. If any of these thoughts get out of balance, we will not go through our ordeals with the right spirit. Surprisingly, Paul sees himself not as a hero, or even a victim, but as the “chief of sinners!” (1 Timothy 1:15). He views everything he suffered as “our light affliction!” When we consider what our Savior suffered for us, all of our misery, anguish, or pain really does not compare with His” (2 Corinthians 4:17). And through it all, God is the ultimate Victor, who has provided for our victory through the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Even during each of Paul’s hardships, he was able to keep a Bible perspective on what he was going through.
“…when Paul writes our light affliction, we can know God means our light affliction. If Paul could say his affliction was light, then what is ours?”[1] (Guzik).
Going into each of his trials, Paul had a handle on the most important thing about his life. This is what kept him from “fainting,” from being worn down, from being “…utterly spiritless, to be wearied out,” or “exhausted,”[2] by his testing. He was wise. It is not his external problems but his internal relationship with his Lord that is the most important. It is keeping his heart right that makes the difference for him.
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
How long do light afflictions last?
“Which is but for a moment.”
One of the beautiful things about our God is that He will not let His child go on suffering endlessly. Whether it is His chastening hand or life’s afflictions that He brings us to, these are not without end. David knew this about Jehovah when he wrote,
“Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:4-5).
Israel saw much of God’s chastening for their wandering and flirting with false gods. God made this comment about how long He let Israel suffer,
“For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer” (Isaiah 54:7-8).
Today, believers, we can encourage each other with Jesus’ promise,
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
With Jesus’ words in mind, we ought to be content with what we have and with our lot in life, for He is always with us.
Peter reminds us about the longevity of our trials.
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Peter 1:6).
We, too, may rejoice that “our light afflictions” are “for a season” only. It makes sense that God would let us remain under the weight of our afflictions, long enough that we might learn what He’s teaching us through them, but not so long that they crush us. Some troubles may be only a few days. Others could last a lifetime. Paul had his humbling “thorn,” throughout all of his ministry (2 Corinthians 12:7). In the light of eternity, “our light afflictions are only on us but a “moment.”[3]
Dear believers, don’t you see how important our daily time with our Lord is? He is always with us, and we need time in the Word with Him. We can pray, meditate on His Bible truths, and recall verses we have memorized anytime through the day or night. Our hearts need the daily “strengthening and vigor” from walking consistently with our Lord. If we are not constantly recharging our souls, how can we make it through life’s afflictions? Can you remember how you lived before Jesus saved you, back when you had to bump along through life without Him to help? But now we can sing, “what a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart!”[4] Praise God, there is no going back to that old life without my Savior!
God sends us affliction for it to do a work in us. Come back tomorrow when we look at what He wants to do through these trials in our life. See you soon.
Quote: “Affliction shows the power of Christ’s blood when it gives peace in an hour of trouble when it can make happy in sickness, poverty, persecution, and death. Do not be surprised if you suffer, but glorify God”[5] (Robert Murray McCheyne).
[1] Guzik, David, David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. The emphasis is his. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
[2] J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Vincent mentions that “but for a moment,” in the Greek text is, “Lit., the present light (burden) of our affliction.” This is a wonderful way to think of our afflictions. M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
[4] The first line of the first verse, “Since Jesus Came into My Heart,” by Rufus H. McDaniel, 1914. Lyrics, Charles H. Gabriel, 1914. Copyright Status, Public Domain.
[5] McCheyne’s quote Downloaded: Saturday, March 20, 2021. From: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-affliction/.