2 Corinthians 1:8-11:
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as 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.
Discussion:
I think that we have all heard the saying that “there is always a light at the end of the tunnel”. However, one thing is to know the saying and another to live it.
How much trust do we have in God?
If you were to be in great deadly peril, would you have the confidence that God would deliver you?
I think that all christians should have the confidence that everything works out for the good of those who love Jesus (Romans 8:28). However, I think that we should evaluate what “good” means.
As Paul says in another verse, Philippians 1:21, “To live is Christ and to die is gain”.
I do believe that in situations of deadly peril that God will deliver a Christian. However, that deliverance could either be freedom on earth or freedom in heaven (death). Why? because to live in Christ and to die is GAIN!
We are living on this earth temporarily. We are only passing by this earth as temporary residents (1 Peter 2:11). It think that as Christians we forget that our main goal to is be united with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is not to continue living on this earth. This is of course not to say that we should not work to preserve our lives because I believe that the Lord wants us to be good stewards of the gift of life that he has given us . However, I do believe that we should not fall in love with this life so deeply that we are unwilling to let it go if God were to ask for it back.
The Lord is our deliver. He is our healer. He is our peace and at all times we should have faith that the creator of the universe and the lover of our souls will bring us freedom. In whatever form it takes.
May the Lord be glorified in our struggles and trials because he is faithful to deliver us from evil. Like Paul said “He (God) has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again”.
Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Challenge:
Have faith in the deliverance that the Lord will provide. He is faithful and will not break his promise of never abandoning us. Even in the darkest night, know that the light from the sun will rise with the morning. Its only a matter of time.
Omar's Thoughts 