DESPAIRED OF LIFE
2010 March 25
DESPAIRED OF LIFE
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 2 Cor 1:8-10
As faithful believers, if we are living in obedient fellowship with Christ and loved by Him, we may undergo experiences that involve peril and fear and anxiety and despair and hopelessness and circumstances that weigh us down. It may even get to the point where it seems beyond our human power and tolerance and endurance.
(1) SEVERE AFFLICTIONS
When these severe aflictions occur in our lives we sholud not feel that God has forsaken us. We should not feel as though He has stopped loving us. Rather we must remind ourselves that these things happened to God’s faithful servants in times past also. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 2 Cor 4:8-9 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. Luke 22:63-65
(2) DESPERATE TRIALS ALLOWED
God often allows these desperate trials in order that Christ might come near and as we look unto Him, give us the grace to bring us to overcoming victory. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 2 Cor 2:4 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Cor 12:7-10
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