NOT DOWN – FAR FROM OUT

READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-15

Verses 8 & 9: “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

The Apostle Paul wrote about his life as described above. The conditions he faced were certainly daunting and challenging. To provide clarity and more details, a list of his many sufferings is provided in 2 Corinthians 11. Paul’s hardships far exceed what most of us are even able to imagine. Anyone seriously considering what Paul so effectively endured must sooner or later be compelled to consider how and why he did it. This great man provided answers to those questions for us in 2 Timothy 1:12. In that verse he wrote “... for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.” Paul’s victorious, attitude and stance, and his just plain toughness were obtained purely by faith in the Lord Jesus as his Savior and Provider. That model that he established has not become outdated or outworn, and is as current as the most recent “breaking news”. What constituted such powerful godly success in Paul, is also present for us. Our victory also is available through faith in our Lord. Jesus obtained it for us and is the  reason that, as we are called, we have the strength of Paul. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Which of Paul’s challenges would be most difficult for you?

2. What is the key to Paul’s type of faith?