Fresh Renewal

Today's Verse:

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 

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I recently received my DMV registration renewal notice for my automobile. Each year, I must renew the registration of my automobile to show that I am the current owner and that the automobile is in compliance and operational. If I fail to complete the renewal, it could result in a financial penalty and the inability to operate my automobile. As we approach the New Year, we are thinking about things that will be new and things that need to be renewed. 

We see the reality of faintness. 

The word "faint" is used twice in 2 Corinthians 4 to describe being utterly spiritless, wearied, and exhausted. We are drained when we are faint. We lack sharpness. We move at a much slower speed than when our energy level is high. We tend to be discouraged more often and lack motivation to achieve anything. Paul describes the fainting process as coming from trouble, perplexity, persecution, and being cast down. We are worn out physically, mentally, and most important spiritually. Paul said, “But though our outward man perishes....” The reality is that we will experience faintness. 

We see the reason for faintness. 

There are a myriad of things that cause faintness within us. Nutritional deficiency, lack of exercise, stress, and lack of adequate sleep can lead to faintness. Paul describes the difficulties that lead to faintness as our “light affliction.” We are in a spiritual battle with the powers of darkness and will often be wearied from exhausting trials, setbacks, conflict with others, and anxiety over things that we have not adequately prayed over. 

We see the remedy for faintness.

First, we have a power for renewal. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” This power is the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (v. 14). It is reviving power; it is repeated power. Second, we have a process for renewal. The inward man is renewed day by day. Renewal is attained daily through a consistent time in the Word of God and in prayer. Third, we must have the right perspective for renewal. “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.” When we keep our eyes on things that are eternal, we are constantly renewing our inner man. 

We see the resistance against faintness. 

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.” “For which cause we faint not....” We must be steadfast against faintness. Fatigue and exhaustion are real. Jesus told His disciples, who were in the midst of a busy time in ministry, to come apart for a while into a desert place to rest. First, build margins within your schedule for adequate rest and seasons of renewal. Second, be careful that your schedule is not the master and tyrant of your life. We must live by a schedule, but we can become so overcommitted that we become servants to our schedule. Third, consider Paul’s attitude against faintness: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” 

Structure your life in the coming year so that your inner man is renewed day by day. Make daily renewal a priority for spirituality, sharpness, and success. 

Have a renewed God Morning! 

Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 17-19

#2Corinthians #Fainting #Renewal