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.”
Years ago I travelled to Samoa for a short holiday and to visit family. I was staying with an aunt who I hadn’t seen in years. On my first day she took me to see neighbouring families. On arrival I greeted everyone who I hadn’t seen since I was a wee boy. They had several dogs on the property, and as we approached, they made sure the dogs were kept out of sight. One of them came very close to me after we entered the house and it seemed harmless enough, so I was calm. I was about to reach down to pat it, when it casually brushed up on my leg, and in a flash, bit me just above my right knee, and ran off. One of the family members ran off chasing the dog, and I could hear it whining in a distance. In the meantime, it left a nice fresh open gash which was about 15mm long and 10mm deep. I have the scar as a reminder.
The visit ended promptly, and the family was very apologetic. My aunt and I rushed home with my now bleeding leg. At home she had some water near boiling point, poured it into a bowl, added salt, and dropped into the hot water a used cake of soap which was most likely used in the bathroom or in the laundry. The last thing she added, which she brought with her unbeknown to me when we were leaving the neighbours, was some of the dog’s hair. I wondered why the dog was whining.
The ‘hair of the dog’ is an old wives’ tale for treating rabies from dog bites. I watched with great amusement as my aunt soaked my wound with this germ-infested bowl of hot water. I tried to protest but she wouldn’t hear a word of it. The soaking went on until the water lost its heat. Whilst she was soaking my leg, I realised the only thing that I could guarantee its cleanliness to some degree, was the hot water. But when all the things were added, it was clean no more. The most troubling ingredient was the dog’s hair. She applied a plaster to keep the wound covered and closed.
What was amazing looking back, I would have needed a few stitches, but I neither went to the hospital nor the doctors. But by day eight when I was returning home to NZ, it was already closing and healing remarkably well. There was something in the concoction that performed a miracle on my leg.
This story mirrors the reality and the truth that the Apostle Paul wrote in 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.”
Paul is telling us that the Word of God is in us. The Word when shared, it brings life to people, it heals, and it brings hope. We carry around in us as earthen vessels, the ministry of hope, love, and mercy. We need to preach he says in verse 5, not ourselves but Christ Jesus for His sake.
What he is saying is, don’t lose heart, do not be in despair when you’re persecuted or struck down, because we will not be destroyed nor be forsaken. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
In our very own imperfect, earthen vessels, God in us, is the power through whom we move through life with the assurance, “that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6). Our confidence and our sufficiency come from the Father. (2 Corinthians 3:3-4).
In the bowl of dog’s hair, there was a miracle that took place, but I didn’t believe it at first. But for us, considered to be God’s fine specimens, created from dust and likened to clay, we were made to carry His Word to change the world around us. We can do this. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20.)
In His richest blessings
Frank Po Ching
P.S. I look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Promise Keepers Men’s Event on Saturday 2 August.
To join me at the PK Event [click here]