"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
(2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9)

2 Corinthians 4:1-9, 16-17
When I was convicted of first-degree murder, the long sentence handed down brought on a deep depression. Here I was, only 18 years old and being told that I would spend more time in prison than I had lived on this earth. I felt a great sense of hopelessness… that is until the Lord completely came into my life. I finally found in Jesus Christ the freedom and peace that I had never known, a freedom I could achieve only through the Holy Spirit.


This is when I learned and began to appreciate the words of a passage in Ecclesiastes: “Anyone who is among the living has hope – even a live dog is better off than a dead lion” (9:4)!


At the time of my conviction, I believed I had received a death sentence. But I began to see that being a living dog was better than being a dead lion. We who have life in Christ hold to this hope, even though we may feel like dead dogs. Despite our despair, we have the assurance of a Savior. God’s mercy and love are still offered when we are joined to the Living One, the Lion
of Judah.



Scripture Focus

2 Corinthians 4:1-9, 16-17

Insight

WRITTEN BY LEON M. BLAIR, SR., AGE 36, SERVING HIS 18TH YEAR OF A 55-YEAR SENTENCE FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER.

Bible In A Year

  • Leviticus 3-4
  • Psalm 47
  • Luke 11

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