Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Remember What God Does for You – Continued

Please read 2 Corinthians 1:4a, 8-11 for background to this section.

He is in control of trials. “For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Paul was weighed down like a beast of burden with a load too heavy to bear. But God knew just how much Paul could take and He kept the situation in control.

We do not know what the specific “trouble” was, but it was great enough to make Paul think he was going to die. Whether it was peril from his many enemies (see Acts 19:23-32; 1 Corinthians 15:30-32), serious illness, or special satanic attack, we do not know; but we do know that God controlled the circumstances and protected His servant. When God puts His children into the furnace, He keeps His hand on the thermostat and His eye on the thermometer (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Paul may have despaired of life, but God did not despair of Paul.

God enables us to bear our trials. The first thing He must do is show us how weak we are in ourselves. Paul was a gifted and experienced servant of God, who had been through many different kinds of trials (see 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; 11:23-33). Surely all of this experience would be sufficient for him to face these new difficulties and overcome them.

But God wants us to trust Him, not our gifts or abilities, our experience, or our “spiritual reserves.” Just about the time we feel self-confident and able to meet the enemy, we fail miserably. “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

When you and I die to self, then God’s resurrection power can go to work. It was when Abraham and Sarah were as good as dead physically that God’s resurrection power enabled them to have the promised son (Romans 4:16-25). However, “dying to self” does not mean idle complacency, doing nothing and expecting God to do everything. You can be sure that Paul prayed, searched the Scriptures, consulted with his associates, and trusted God to work. The God who raises the dead is sufficient for any difficulty of life! He is able, but we must be available, we must be willing vessels to be used.

Paul did not deny the way he felt, nor does God want us to deny our emotions. “We were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within” (2 Corinthians 7:5). The phrase “sentence of death” in 2 Corinthians 1:9 could refer to an official verdict, perhaps an order for Paul’s arrest and execution. Keep in mind that the unbelieving Jews hounded Paul’s trail and wanted to eliminate him (Acts 20:19). “Danger from my own people” must not be overlooked in the list of dangers (2 Corinthians 11:26).

God delivers us from our trials. Paul saw God’s hand of deliverance whether he looked back, around, or ahead. The word Paul used in the original means “to help out of distress, to save and protect.” God does not always deliver us immediately, nor in the same way. James was beheaded, yet Peter was delivered from prison (Acts 12). Both were delivered, but in different ways. Sometimes God delivers us from our trials, and at other times He delivers us in our trials.

God’s deliverance was in response to Paul’s faith, as well as to the faith of praying people in Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:11). “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6).

To Be Continued

Adapted and modified excerpts from Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary Volume 1.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
Where noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.