Troubles! Crushing, overwhelming, beyond our ability, with no hope in sight, it all seems to be over — troubles! Paul begins 2 Corinthians with a clear-eyed account of how he felt when such trouble came upon him in Asia. While the Bible does not record the event, according to 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul and his companions did not expect to survive. Have you ever faced such trouble? Paul shares what he learned.
First, Paul learned to stop relying on himself and to trust in God. It might seem trite to say it this way, bordering on oversimplification. But that is what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:9. Paul came to a moment of true, complete, and unreserved surrender to the outcome God would choose to allow. This is hard for anyone because we usually want to control the situation with every ounce of our strength. Paul admits he was overwhelmed beyond his ability to endure (vs. 8).
Second, when Paul says he learned to rely on God, he explains that he placed his confidence in God. Did Paul rely on God because he was guaranteed deliverance? No, he was confident in God because God is all-powerful and merciful. Paul states his reason for dependence by noting the God who raises the dead (vs. 9).
Third, Paul experienced God’s merciful comfort because of the situation (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). In turn, Paul finds purpose and can now share this comfort with others. Paul writes that the more he suffers, the more comfort he receives from God and the more comfort he can offer others. Instead of pitying himself, Paul saw beyond the trouble to a purposeful future of helping others with what he learned!
Believer, you and I have not suffered our troubles alone or in vain. Have we not experienced the priceless treasure of comfort from an all-powerful, merciful God? Have we not, like Paul, found relief in relying on God, casting our confidence upon Him? Yes! For the believer, there is great comfort and a future beyond the pain!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible. This devotional reflection is on 2 Corinthians 1-4:18