2023_01_11 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Psalm 19, 2 Corinthians 4, Job 38, Hebrews 1
I have been humbled and challenged by the reading this week in 2 Corinthians 4. To set it up, here is a list of some things Paul endured as he worked to help others find Jesus: “I have been put in prison… been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.“ 2 Corinthians 11:23–27 (NLT)
Despite all of that, here is Paul’s perspective: “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (NLT)
Because of his trust and confidence in his Savior, Paul concludes with, “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (NLT)
Father, please help me to follow Paul’s example!
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor