DAy #268: 2 Corinthians 4:8-5:11

Paul recounted how weak he, as a human being, really was. He freely admitted he had been crushed and perplexed. Then he added the words, God never abandons us. The Lord did not abandon Paul to his own inadequacies. God had saved Paul from being crushed and broken by his responsibilities and from reaching utter despair.

Jesus himself was Paul’s model. Although Jesus had all the glories of heaven—all of its power and privilege—he gave it all up to suffer humiliation, insults, and finally death (Philippians 2:5-11). Paul saw his own sufferings for the cause of Christ as sharing in the death of Jesus. Of course, Jesus’ suffering was of a qualitatively different nature. Jesus died on the cross to save believers from their sins.

Yet Jesus had warned his followers they could also expect suffering and hardship (John 15:20-21). The suffering of Jesus’ followers would be merely an extension of Jesus’ own suffering. So Paul lived under constant danger of death for Jesus’ sake so that people would see the life of Jesus.

Paul lived in the face of death, but he knew that something greater than life on this earth was working through him. His sufferings and death would never spell the end for the life-giving message of the gospel. In fact, God was working so that Paul’s suffering would result in eternal life for those who believe in Jesus. This passage reminded the Corinthians that Paul’s sufferings, which the Corinthians were presently ashamed of, had brought the message of eternal life to them in the first place.

Paul had courageously endured the insults of the Jews in order to deliver the gospel to them—the message that would result in their eternal salvation (Acts 18:6). Paul identified himself with the writer of Psalm 116. Paul, like the psalmist, had experienced fear of death (Psalm 116:3). In the midst of troubles and in the face of death, Paul, like the psalmist, had cried out to God (Psalm 116:4).

The Corinthians need to understand that all of the trials and difficulties Paul had endured were for their benefit. That is the life of a Pastor and a leader in God's church. As more people heard of and accepted God’s grace—that is, God’s gift of salvation—more people would join the grand celebration before God. Thanksgiving would begin to overflow toward God. This would benefit the Corinthian Christians, for—through their prayers—they also had participated in Paul’s work of spreading the gospel.

Paul knew that the hardships he endured were really quite small and wouldn’t last very long in comparison to how long he would enjoy God’s presence—the immeasurably great glory that will last forever. What really matters—what is eternal and permanent—cannot be seen, touched, or measured. Only with the eyes of faith can people look forward to what they have not yet seen.

A Christian’s hope is not in the power and wealth that can be accumulated on earth. Instead, a Christian’s hope is in Christ.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, help me live with the understanding and knowledge - everyday - that what you do in me and through me and around me is to grow me and mature me and make me more like your Son Jesus Christ.

Lord, use hardships to build my character. Use suffering to shape my integrity. Use difficult people to make me rely on You. Break the grip that this world can have on me at times. Lord, use my life to be a witness for You.

Anytime, anyplace with anyone at whatever cost, I will serve You.