2 Corinthians 1:8-11
"For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many." (NKJV)
The church at Corinth had evidently heard that Paul and his traveling companions had suffered greatly during their trip to Asia. Paul explains that he doesn’t want them to be "ignorant" of those troubles, but also he doesn’t go into detail about all the ills and woes. Rather than focusing upon the specifics of the troubles, Paul instead focuses upon the graciousness of God to deliver the group from the troubles, troubles so great that the travelers were on the verge of death.
The thing is, Paul wasn’t afraid to die. In fact, he looked forward to dying, calling it "gain:"
"For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again" (Philippians 1:19-26 NKJV).
Paul absolutely had his priorities right. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that going Home was the best possible outcome for any believer on any day; however, he also knew that every moment spent here on earth had one purpose: to minister the gospel to those around him. And so, when he stated that he didn’t wanted the Corinthians to be ignorant about what happened in Asia, Paul wasn’t talking about them needing to know the details of the tribulation that he had faced. He was talking about how they needed to know what God had done to rescue him and his companions. Paul’s focus was solely on bringing glory to God and explaining how God is always there, providing at every turn for every need regardless of the seeming hopelessness of the situation.
"We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us"
God who "delivered us" (in the past).
God who "does deliver us" (in the present).
God "will still deliver us" (in the future).
Paul’s testimony was that Father God is there all the time, providing all we need, at every turn and in every circumstance.
You see, as Christians, every circumstance—EVERY circumstance—is a "win-win" situation. Even if we face death, if God rescues us, we "win" because we can stay here and continue our ministry to others. If God takes us Home, we "win" because we now with Him, the greatest event that happens to every Christian.
It makes me so sad when I talk to Christians and find that they are reluctant, even afraid, to die (or to have fellow believers die). Why would anyone not want to go Home to be with the Lord? Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself promised: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3 NKJV).
The Lord Jesus has promised to come for every believer, either through death or through the Rapture. But He will come! He has promised! And He not only comes, but while we are waiting here, He is preparing a place for us. Think of it! It took God seven days to create this marvelous universe in which we live. And yet the Lord Jesus has been preparing our home for us for many years. I can’t begin to think about how wondrous that is! He loves us so much that He is spending time and energy preparing our place! He’s not just coming for us. He is anxious to have us with Him, so much that He is preparing our home.
Paul focused on what God had done for his traveling company because Paul knew what was important. It wasn’t important for him to go through the litany of his woes or pains. But it was important for the Corinthians to know what God had done for him.
What do our conversations consist of? Do we talk about what God has done for us? Or do we rehearse the many tribulations that we are suffering? Are our eyes on ourselves and what we have suffered or are our eyes on the King of All who has provided and continues to provide? If we, like Paul, have placed our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, then we should always be pointing everyone around us to Him . . . and nothing else . . . for in Him is all our faith and trust. Why? Because He is preparing a place for us and will come to take us with Him to that very special place.
© 2015 Robin L. O’Hare. All rights reserved. Permission granted for nonprofit and church groups to use this article in its entirety (including this notice). For other uses, please contact servinggodalone@yahoo.com.
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