2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Ebenezer Erskine was a Scottish minister in the 1700s who faced some serious challenges in his ministry. But he knew how to draw encouragement from the Lord each morning. In his journal for September 20, 1721, he wrote: “This morning, a little after I awakened, I began to turn my thoughts toward the Lord Jesus; and the Lord encouraged me…by a sweet gale of his Spirit; for my meditation of him was sweet. I could say that his love is better than wine; yea, that his loving-kindness is better than life…. My heart did burn within me, while I thought of him who is Immanuel, and whose name is Wonderful; and what more can I say?” We live in a chaotic world, and without the daily encouragement of Christ what would we do? That’s why it’s vital to start the day with Him. Even before rising from bed, we can say, “Good morning, Lord!” And on a chair or table nearby, we can keep an open Bible.
We’re encouraged by the Lord as we walk with Him, and our walk with Him is a pathway of perpetual praise.
