For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us.
2 Corinthians 1: 8-10
Paul made it clear in these verses that he and those traveling with him to help him as he ministered went through a period of desolation and suffering. I'm not talking about a rough patch. They were overwhelmed, helpless and powerless to do anything to the point where they didn't care if they lived or not because they despaired of life. I sometimes think that it had to be even harder for those companions than for Paul. After all, he was called to be an Apostle and God was using him to help spread the good news of freedom in Christ. The companions with him may have felt like they understood why Paul kept going, refusing to let circumstances and the enemy stop the call and ministry of God through him made sense, but suffering just because you're in the boat with him when it seems like you don't do much must've sucked.
But I know that if they did feel that way they were wrong. I know how much Leah helps me in the ministry by being my companion, my helper, my wife. There's a reason I say we when I talk about the ministry. I need her, and I know that my mother is a huge part of my father's ministry, even though she may not feel it. It is not good for a person to be isolated in the ministry, and even if those companions were doing nothing more than prayer support and carrying luggage they were a huge part of what made it possible for Paul to do what he did in ministry. To stop them would be to hinder Paul's ministry as much as hindering Paul would have done. So, when Paul had to endure, they often did as well, and Paul said it got bad.
Yes, it got bad, but there was a purpose. Paul said the purpose was that they might learn to trust in God and not rely on themselves. While Mark talks about how as soon as things get hard some fall away, for those who will turn to God and look to Him for the answer, suffering, whether light or heavy, short-term or lifelong, can and will serve to strengthen our faith. It brings is closer to our Daddy.
I remember as a child and as a young teen before I got my license, I had to get rides from my parents, and more times than not, this meant my mother. There was a reason her key chain used to read Mom's Taxi. And not once did my mom forget to pick me up. But there were times that she was late.
Things happen. Things go wrong. Car trouble, unexpected phone calls that couldn't be ignored because of my father's ministry, any number of things could interfere and hinder her ability to reach me at the appointed time. There were no cell phones or way to instantly reach people regardless of where they were. So all I could do at those times was wait.
I knew two things, both from experience. One, she would be there, sooner or later. Two, I better be where she said she would pick me up when she did get there. Once after she was late a few minutes, I shrugged and began walking home. It wasn't far. I could walk it without too much problem. Except there was a problem. Mom showed up and I wasn't there. She had to find me, and I spent more time and energy walking in the sun than I had to.
There are reasons why God delays His hand of deliverance at times. All of which come back to increasing His glory and drawing us closer to Him. I know even now, that I can count on my mom to pick me up if I need her to. Things might happen to delay things, but not stop it. God's deliverance may be delayed to the point of desperation, so that we can see that there is no way out besides Him, but He will not fail to be there. He is faithful. No matter what comes,no matter what gets in the way, nothing will stop Him from being Daddy to us, and going through hard times and coming out the other side with Him helps us learn that lesson more and more.
And we need to make sure that we are where we need to be when He shows up. We don't want to give up and try to meet the needs we have on our own. Don't walk away from the meeting place. It only increases the suffering and makes it harder. Stand and wait and see the salvation of God in effect in our lives rather than walk away and make Him chase us. He will be there. He will not be delayed too long. Look to Him and don't give up. Every time He proves Himself, we learn a little more we can depend on Him to always be there before it's too late.
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