There were those in the church in Corinth who criticized Paul. They did not think he was on a par with the other apostles. They were not very impressed with his speech. They thought he could write a powerful letter, but when face to face with them, he was afraid to speak so forcefully (2 Corinthians 10:1). In 2 Corinthians 11:22-29, Paul shows just how well he compares to his critics, and tells us some of the things he has suffered: Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? -- I speak as if insane -- I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
Well, if it’s alright with everyone else, I’ll just put my petty little concerns back in their bag. I have not suffered like this. Have you? I do not know anyone who has gone through all of this and certainly not for the sake of Christ. And yet this is the same Paul who said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). How is that for encouragement?
Do you think it is possible to have that attitude when the one you love the most in this world gets sick and dies? Can you still say that the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared to the glory that it is to be revealed to us when your boss calls you into his office and tells you that he is sorry, what with Christmas just three weeks away, but he is going to have to let you go? Yes, you can!
No matter how bad things get here, there is coming a day when everything will be better; that is, for the faithful Christian. Take just a moment and consider some of the great heroes of faith that we find in Hebrews 11. Many men and women of God are mentioned by name and they are heroes indeed. However, there is a statement made in this chapter in reference to those who are not named that I want you to notice. These were the faithful who were tortured, mocked, scourged, put in chains and in prison; they were stoned, sawn in two, tempted and put to death. They were afflicted in the most horrible ways we can imagine. And the Holy Spirit says the world was not worthy of them (Hebrews 11:35-38)! They were viewed by the world as worthless. God looked on them with a breaking, sympathetic heart. And there is absolutely nothing whatsoever keeping you from being in that number, unless it is your lack of faith. If you will have faith in God (obeying all His commands) and submit your entire life to Him, nothing you will suffer in this life will overcome you.
That is how much God loves you; enough to provide a glory for you that is beyond comparison with the suffering you experience here. Even if you find no peace in this life and you are hounded and afflicted all the way to death itself, there is still a peace which surpasses all comprehension (Philippians 4:7). God bless you this week with that peace! May He watch over you and help you never to forget that He loves you as do I.
Donnie Bates
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