But we have this treasure

      in jars of clay,

to show that

the surpassing power

   belongs to God

   and not to us.

We are afflicted in every way,

   but not crushed;

perplexed,

   but not driven to despair;

persecuted,

   but not forsaken;

struck down

   but not destroyed...

      2 Corinthians 4. 7-9

(God works mightily

  through ordinary people

in extraordinary ways.

Yes, it is absolutely

   too much for us,

but not for Him.

We face these

        perilous times

                differently,

because we are believers.

May the grace and strength

             of Jesus

be seen in how we respond.)

O LORD,

We have seen too much

to question You in this.

You have brought us through

      the hard places,

      the miry bog,

and You are not about

          to abandon us now.

Be glorified

  in what we consider

  the difficult

    and even the ordinary.

Let Your grace and

        transformative power

give hope to those around us

      and be seen in us.