Passage Read: 1 Corinthians 16 - 2 Corinthians 1
Meditation Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Thought
God allows us to suffer great hardships so that we would recognize how much we need Him, how little we ourselves can do, and how much we need the prayers of others, so that many would rejoice in the Lord when we are delivered. God wants glory from His people; He doesn't intend for the Christian life to be easy, manageable in our own strength and ability, because then we have little or no need of Him. We have to face things that are insurmountable, far beyond our ability to solve and even to endure! Only then will we turn to Him and call many others to plead with Him for us, so that He can solve the impossible and gain glory from all His people.
Application
It is such a temptation to only go and only do what I think I can handle, to keep the stress low. Who wants to live in a constant state of turmoil and uncertainty? The church had periods of suffering and periods of peace, but I wish for only peace. So here I am in a situation that seems insurmountable. I can put up with it for a few months, I can keep from getting too entwined with the people here, and leave when my time's up. Or I can throw my lot in with the people here and plead with God for His deliverance. I can call others to pray with us and for us, that in due time the Lord will deliver this place from its challenge and give many believers cause to rejoice in the Lord. I need to get word out and ask more to pray.