2 Corinthians 11 - 11.19.24

SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINITHIANS 11:23b - 30

“I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

OBSERVATION

Paul went through a lot in the name of Christ. He, as the leader of the early church, took on everything you can imagine but yet the biggest concern he had was the “daily pressure of my concern for all the churches.” His heart was most concerned about the body of Christ. He even cares, on a deeper level, of those who feel weak and those who are led into sin. His questions in verse 29 shows he is taking those things on himself, he is affected, and cares for the body of Christ.

The end of this scripture (verse 30) concludes with Paul saying if he were to boast it would be about his weakness. He didn’t say all those things from verse 23 - 29 to boast about his trials and what he went through but to say that if he were to boast, it would be about his weakness. Paul knew that in his weakness, God’s power shows through in his life. We can do nothing outside of God. Just like the parable of the vine and the branches in John 15:4 ( “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” ) all that we have and do is because of God’s power through us when we are weak.

APPLICATION

In reading what Paul went through, all I can say is any of my trials or turbulations are nothing compared to all he endured. I’m encouraged to know that ultimately Paul gave glory in his weaknesses and trails, knowing that God’s glory can work through those incidents. Through all of the trials and difficulties in life, I can take comfort in knowing that God will carry me through. In my weakness, God is strong. I can do nothing without God’s strength which is perfected when I am weak.

Paul was the new church “pastor,” guiding, loving and caring for the new believers in Christ’s church. He carried a lot and you can see it in this scripture. This reinforces how much a pastor takes on for the church body. In the same way, my heart is heavy for Pastor Levi and Pastor Katie as they carry the burden and responsibility for the body of believers and the ministry at Desert Streams Church. Considering all they have on their shoulders, it brings me to continue in prayer for them, that God would strengthen, encourage and carry them through the burden they have for the church body.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for Paul’s testimony about what he endured. I am so thankful that in my weakness, your strength comes through. Help me to always be strong in you, that I always abide and remain in you, and never do anything outside of your power. I will praise you in my weakness because I trust and know your strength will come through. Lord, please be with Pastor Levi and Pastor Katie as they carry the burden for all that goes on at Desert Streams Church. This is your church and they are doing an amazing job as leaders. I pray you give them your amazing strength and help them through everything in the body of Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.

- Mary Oberg