Staying power ∙∙

Staying power ∙∙

Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; instead, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

The Statue of Liberty: A Symbol of Freedom

Since her creation in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has stood as one of the most enduring symbols of what the United States represents to millions around the world. She is a universal emblem of freedom and democracy, welcoming newcomers with her timeless presence.

The Statue holds a torch high above her head in her right hand, symbolizing enlightenment, while her left hand carries a tablet inscribed with the Roman numerals for July IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776), commemorating America’s independence. Towering at an impressive 305 feet, including her pedestal, the copper statue itself stands at 151 feet. For over a century, she has stood tall, a beacon of hope and opportunity at America’s doorstep.

The Need for Restoration

As she approached her centennial, the Statue of Liberty began to show signs of wear and deterioration. By 1981, it became evident that Lady Liberty required substantial restoration to ensure her preservation for future generations. A French-American committee was formed to oversee this vital project.

The copper surface of the statue was riddled with thousands of holes caused by a century of exposure to salt air. The most critical issues included the significant deterioration of the torch-bearing arm and the eroded platform near her head. The internal support girders faced considerable weakening, while the insulation layer between the statue’s copper exterior and the iron bands had largely disintegrated. Tragically, the statue’s iconic torch was beyond repair and needed a full replacement.

The Restoration Effort

The restoration of the Statue of Liberty was a monumental undertaking, requiring $230 million in private funding. Craftsmen repaired and replaced the copper skin where needed. The flame and upper portion of the torch were meticulously reconstructed to create an exact replica of the original.

On July 4, 1986, Americans celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty with a grand event. During the ceremony, President Ronald Reagan declared, “We are the keepers of the flame of liberty; we hold it high for the world to see.” The restoration revitalized Lady Liberty, ensuring her glow as a symbol of freedom remained intact.

Staying Power and Spiritual Resilience

Just as the Statue of Liberty demonstrates physical endurance through restoration, children of the King discover spiritual staying power in confident faith. According to Charles Stanley, this “great faith” is a mindset and attitude available to all who seek it.

Although our physical frame may age or weaken, inward renewal, strength, and revitalization are available to us daily. What happens within is not dictated by external circumstances. As described by Barclay, spiritually, life is a constant upward climb, leading to the eternal presence of the Father.

Reflect and Pray

Life’s challenges may test your endurance, but spiritual rejuvenation provides the staying power to overcome. John Bytheway wrote, “Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, life’s a cinch.”  

Father, I am beginning to understand the enduring strength that comes from the ongoing, daily spiritual rejuvenation You provide. Thank You for this wonderful gift. Please teach me to rely on You and draw from the inner spiritual rejuvenation You offer.

INSIGHT

Paul’s Extraordinary Confidence

Why was Paul so confident in the face of challenges? His unflinching optimism was rooted in sound logic. Wiersbe observes that the Lord Jesus Christ had already conquered death, the ultimate enemy, and with death defeated, there was no reason to fret over secondary concerns. Paul had nothing to fear from life or death, and along with it, every lesser threat. 1 Corinthians 15:54 declares for all time, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Strength Amid Weakness

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:16 encapsulate his indomitable attitude, “Therefore, we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner self is renewed daily.”

The phrase “do not despair” translates from the Greek phrase ouk egkakoumen. The Greek verb takako has a broad semantic range encompassing ideas such as “not giving up, losing courage, shrinking back, giving in to evil, or neglecting one’s duty.” In today’s language, we might say, “Don’t throw in the towel and give up.”

Although Paul’s physical body was wearing out and growing weaker, his inner spiritual vitality was being renewed each day. He devoted everything he had to serve God, relentlessly striving to fulfill his assignment. He depleted his physical strength. But as his external body wore out, his spiritual resilience flourished. This paradox reveals a profound truth: we can grow physically weaker while becoming spiritually stronger. Paul understood the concept of regenerative health long before it became a trend in the 21st century.

The Reality Beyond the Visible

A.W. Tozer once said that the invisible world described in the Bible is the only “real world.” Paul and the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 had incredible staying power because they “[saw the invisible]” (Hebrews 11:10, 13-14, 27).

Paul lived with eternity in mind. He urged believers to take comfort in the fact that while the “outward person” grows weaker, the “inward person” is renewed daily. The Father provides exactly the grace, mercy, and strength we need at just the right moment (Hebrews 4:16). When we choose to live one day at a time, assured of the Father’s care, outward difficulties may persist, but inward stress fades away, replaced by peace and vitality that only He can provide.

The Power of Thanksgiving and Prayer

Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:6-7 offers a model for peace-filled living: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

These words echo the teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. He reminded believers not to be anxious but to entrust their concerns to a loving Father. Because God is sovereign, wise, and caring, children of the King can entrust their troubles into His hands, confident that He has authority over all creation (Romans 8:31-39).

The Philippians are to fill their minds with things that will inspire worship of God and service to others (ESV, Notes). Philippians 4:8, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

The mind, filled with gratitude and trust, becomes fertile ground for spiritual renewal.

Staying Power Through Prayer

Paul emphasized the importance of taking “everything to God in prayer.” His call to “pray about everything” isn’t just good advice; it’s a pathway to experiencing the “peace of God.” Children of the King are not to be anxious, but we are to entrust ourselves into the hands of our loving heavenly Father, whose peace will guard us in Christ Jesus. This peace, grounded in the sovereignty of God, is powerful beyond all comprehension.

Rather than being burdened by worry, we should fill our minds with thoughts and actions that inspire service and Thanksgiving. Focusing on God’s truths fosters peace and inspires a life devoted to His plan. An attitude of worship fosters inner peace.

Practical Takeaway

Don’t lose heart, even when your physical strength is depleted. Through prayer, gratitude, and trust in the Lord, you can experience the renewal of your spirit and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.  Staying power and spiritual vitality are the Father’s gifts for each child of the King. Inward peace and rest are now within our grasp.

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