Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

 

“⁸ For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;  ⁹ indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;  ¹⁰ who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope.  And He will yet deliver us, ¹¹ you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”  2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

 

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We can glean a lesson from how the affliction subject matter of today’s Scripture immediately follows the comfort subject matter of yesterday’s Scripture.  The lesson is that we should not dismiss nor lightly consider the comfort and encouragement that we receive.  Even though we may think (sometimes self-righteously) that we don’t need that comfort and encouragement, we may need it later. 

 

Yesterday’s Scripture is summarized by 2 Corinthians 1:5:  “…our comfort is abundant through Christ.”  We read in today’s Scripture:  “… we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;”  Verse 8.  But, because Paul’s mind was fixed on God and the comfort and encouragement that God gives, he was able to state:  “… we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;  who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope.”  Verses 9 and 10.

 

Although we should “store up”, “feed upon”, remember, and trust the comfort and encouragement when we receive it, we need not fear that yesterday’s comfort and encouragement is all that we will receive.  God “comforts us in all our affliction”.  2 Corinthians 1:4.  God is “a very present help in trouble”.  Psalm 46:1.

 

Verse 11 reminds us to pray for others.  Let us not think that our prayers don’t count but realize the importance of “the prayers of many”.  Let us bestow favor on others by our prayers.

 

In summary, let us still cling to that comfort and encouragement that we receive.  Let us treasure it.  Let us remember it.  Let us use it to help build up our faith and trust in God.  Mr. Sieplinga (my best friend Harry’s father who just turned 90) called me “tenacious” in my senior year of high school;  I still remember that encouragement.  Later, we may need the comfort and encouragement that we receive.