“UNSHAKEN CONFIDENCE” In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote: “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; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that 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.” (2 Cor. 1:8-10) “There is no part of St. Paul’s history known to us which can justify these strong expressions, except his being stoned at Lystra; which if not what is here intended, the facts to which he refers are not on record. As Lystra was properly in Asia . . . and his stoning at Lystra did most evidently destroy his life, so that his being raised was an effect of the miraculous power of God;”[1] (See Acts 14:19,20) I suppose the event Paul referred to was so violent and overwhelming that Paul had no hope of escaping death (humanly speaking). Moreover, it could be understood that all expectations of help could only be from God. In other words, the circumstances were such that no human power could possibly avail, yet Paul was delivered. What can we glean from such a message? Can we who rely on God alone in our tribulations confide in Him with such unshaken confidence; if your faith be no bigger than a mustard seed (Luke 17:5,6 [2]), will God almighty through faith in Christ Jesus despite our weakness deliver those whom believe from any circumstance? Consider the following Scripture. “And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”” (Matthew 9:2, NASB) “Physical healing is not the most important gift God can give. Among the first words Jesus said to the paralyzed man were “I have forgiven your sins.” THEN, He healed the man. We must be careful not to concentrate on God’s power to heal physical sickness more than on his power to forgive spiritual sickness (or our need for the same) in the form of sin. Jesus saw that even more than physical health, this man needed spiritual health. Spiritual health comes only from Jesus’ healing touch.”[3] God understands every aspect of healing. In addition, in light of that, there is much to be said about the process of recovery, and the methods through which God works. However and please forgive me for my narrow focus, but I am convinced that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:12,13) Yours in Truth, in and by His Grace alone, Dr. Tom Miller, C.Ph.D. Senior Pastor and Pastoral Counselor [1] Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the New Testament, Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1999, Parsons Technology, Inc. [2] "The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you." (Luke 17:5,6) [3] Taken in part from, The Handbook of Bible Application, Neil S. Wilson, Editor, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. WHEATON, ILLINOIS-electronic addition on QuickVerse-Parsons Technology, Inc. |
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