"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Cor. 1:8-11
My soul absolutely
fed on these words this morning. There are endless ways to describe the Word of God, but today I would choose
rich and.....so very
real.
Lets think about the author of these verses: Paul. --Apostle.--Church-planter.--Endured hardships unimaginable.--At the top of the hero list. But then verse eight stopped me in my tracks. I read and re-read. Paul
despaired???
Paul is referring to some intense suffering he had incurred since last writing to the church in Corinth, likely persecution, illness, or injury. In the next verse, we read that the suffering was so intense that Paul honestly felt like his life was soon to end.
The word used here (in the original Greek) for despair means "to utterly be at a loss." If you're like me, however, then I don't need to explain the meaning. Yes, I know this word well. I know what it means to come to the end of myself, to feel like it is "far beyond [my] ability to endure." But that is my weakness. Paul felt the same?
Apparently so. Paul was very real about his emotions, but equally as real about the Truth. Read this commentary from
The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible study notes: (pg. 1872-3)
"God's purpose in our afflictions is often to cause us to cease trusting in our own strength and abilities and trust more fully in him."
Alleluia! What sweet release and relief comes from casting our burdens onto Jesus. To know that
I do not have to shoulder the burden any longer on my own is a mind-blowing revelation. My strength flows from His well! Despairing is normal; we live in a fallen world and feel the effects of that "fallenness", the results of sin. But how much more does my heart need to fully realize my weakness and boast in His strength! Let me gladly allow affliction to lead me deeper into Him.
"If God can empower even the dead to return to life, surely he can enable believers in their weaknesses. In this way, the death and resurrection of Christ are daily manifested anew in believers' lives (cf. 1Co 15:31; Gal 2:20), and their future resurrection is foreshadowed as well (Php 3:10; Col 3:10).
And this is where I feasted, folks. So my weaknesses - yes, even my occasional despair - is an opportunity to experience the Gospel afresh each and every day! When I feel weak, I can claim the very work of God through Christ on my behalf to overcome my own weakness, cling to Christ, and live in His strength. Rejoicing in my weaknesses preaches the Gospel to myself each day-- I need Him! And He gives Himself to me! What richness and comfort and contentment is there.
There is more in this chapter on prayer.
"Prayer has real results. Paul was convinced that God has ordained his relationship to the world in such a way that he will respond to prayer. Paul needed this kind of help from others, just as each of us does. The Greek term translated "then" may also be rendered "in order that." The clause depends on God's action in the beginning of verse 10 (deliverance from peril). God would continue to deliver Paul and answer prayer "in order that" many people would thank and praise God. Throughout all of human history God's desire is that many people serve and praise Him (Ge 1:28-29; Rev. 7:9). Paul's ministry served this goal by redeeming many who would praise the grace of God (cf. 4:15).
May He be glorified, praised, and served through the work of His grace in my life.
