Day 166

2 Chronicles 1–3 | 2 Corinthians 4:1–5:10

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Today was one of those moments I won’t forget.

Once a year, on Father’s Day, the men’s choir sings at church. There’s no audition. No soloists. Just a group of ordinary guys—farmers, accountants, business owners, grandpas, dads—stepping up to sing praises to God with one voice.

I had the honor of standing shoulder to shoulder with them this morning.

We sang a song that some remember from the old Promise Keepers days: “Grace Alone.”

Every promise we can make,

Every prayer and step of faith,

Every difference we will make

Is only by His grace.

And there I was—five days post-surgery, healing slow, finger taped, hand aching—trying to belt out every line.

Not because I sounded good.

But because the lyrics were true.

“We will go forth in grace alone.”

It hit me a little harder than I expected.

The Outer Self Wasting

Paul wrote in today’s reading:

“Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)

That line gets me.

Because let’s be honest—our bodies aren’t what they used to be.

Some of us carry scars.

Some wear braces or walk with canes.

Some battle chronic pain or invisible illness.

And yet… the promise stands:

“This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (v. 17)

Affliction prepares glory.

Weakness prepares radiance.

And worship in the frailty of now prepares us for the fullness of forever.

The Blueprint of Something Better

2 Chronicles 3 tells us Solomon built the temple according to the pattern God gave David.

A heavenly blueprint. A shadow of something greater.

The temple was glorious—gold layered on everything, precious stones embedded in walls—but it was still just a model.

The real glory wasn’t the building.

It was the presence.

Paul says we are now that temple.

Jars of clay, housing eternal treasure.

Not because we earned it.

But because of Christ.

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

“We make it our aim to please Him.” (v. 9)

That’s the new blueprint.

That’s the better temple.

And We Will Sing

Someday, this jar of clay will crack for good.

My body will finally give out.

My voice will falter for the last time.

But when it does—I’ll sing louder than I ever have.

Not in pain. Not by faith.

But in perfect joy, before the throne.

Because the weight of that glory will make every note—every tear, every tremor—worth it.

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Lord, I’m grateful for this fragile body—even in its weakness. Because it reminds me that glory isn’t found in appearance or performance, but in Your presence. Thank You for letting us carry this treasure in jars of clay. Thank You that our pain isn’t pointless, our worship isn’t wasted, and our future isn’t fragile. Keep renewing me day by day. And when my voice breaks here… let it rise again up there. In grace. In joy. In glory. Amen.