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- Oct 26, 2007
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I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Corinthians 11:27 NLT
The apostle Paul understood well what suffering for the sake of Jesus and the gospel message really looked like. In today’s scripture verse he lists many of the hardships he endured as God’s instrument to take the gospel to the Gentile world. Then, of course, there were the accusations, the beatings, and other mistreatment at the hands of others.
Though Paul suffered much, he never lost sight of Jesus and what He had called him to do. Humanly speaking, Paul had every reason to pack up and go home. But he wouldn’t—couldn’t—do that. Instead, he remained firm in his faith.
It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll suffer the kinds of things Paul did. But you’ll still have to endure difficulties and hardships. And when you do, you’ll have a choice to make: Will you allow those things to distract you from your faith in Christ or will you cling even harder to Him, knowing that He has a purpose for everything you’re enduring?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being my everything. When I am overwhelmed with problems here on earth, help me to do what the apostle Paul did: keep myself focused on You and what You have for me to do every day.
The apostle Paul understood well what suffering for the sake of Jesus and the gospel message really looked like. In today’s scripture verse he lists many of the hardships he endured as God’s instrument to take the gospel to the Gentile world. Then, of course, there were the accusations, the beatings, and other mistreatment at the hands of others.
Though Paul suffered much, he never lost sight of Jesus and what He had called him to do. Humanly speaking, Paul had every reason to pack up and go home. But he wouldn’t—couldn’t—do that. Instead, he remained firm in his faith.
It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll suffer the kinds of things Paul did. But you’ll still have to endure difficulties and hardships. And when you do, you’ll have a choice to make: Will you allow those things to distract you from your faith in Christ or will you cling even harder to Him, knowing that He has a purpose for everything you’re enduring?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being my everything. When I am overwhelmed with problems here on earth, help me to do what the apostle Paul did: keep myself focused on You and what You have for me to do every day.
