Day 6: Grateful for the Common and the Amazing!
We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. 2 Corinthians 1:8b-11
Paul’s words in today’s Scripture remind us that our life as followers of Jesus Christ may be as filled with danger and difficulty as anyone’s. Many in our day seek to tell us that once we give our lives to Jesus that all our troubles will be over. The truth is once we give our lives to Jesus our eternal salvation is sure, and His presence in the midst of EVERY situation is assured, but Paul and his friends found that every day serving Jesus was a new day of danger and difficulty. We may not live in a culture that threatens to imprison or execute us for following Jesus, but we can certainly be sure that not everyone around us is going to be overjoyed if we follow Jesus with passionate commitment. In fact, the more fully devoted to Jesus we become, the more those around us are going to have to make a choice—do they want to become like Jesus or can they continue being around us when doing so makes them feel uneasy. They’ll feel uneasy, because God’s ways both draw and repel—they are magnetic after all!
Did you notice that Paul affirmed the Corinthians help in their circumstances? They weren’t even with Paul, but they PRAYED for Paul, and there is ultimately no greater help in life when we can be near another than prayer. Often when we can be near them prayer is still the greatest help we can offer. The connective nature of the body of Jesus Christ is seen in what Paul says to conclude today’s reading, “Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.” We can often bring gratitude to the body of Jesus as a whole simply by praying for the safety of others!
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
For whom do you offer regular prayers for safety? Do you pray for missionaries and church leaders that they may be strong and faithful?
Take some time right now to thank God for protecting you and those who serve in the name of Jesus near and far!