Do You Believe?
Brought out of slavery in Egypt. Saved from lions. Victorious in battle. The Word of God is full of stories of deliverance, full of accounts of God showing Himself strong as the Deliverer of His people. He hears His people's cry. He delivers them from their distress. We see it again and again.
But, do you believe it?
Do you truly believe God rescued an entire community from slavery and delivered them from a pursuing army by creating a pathway through the sea? Do you believe He’s the same God you can speak to right now?
Do you believe Jesus gave sight to a man who was born blind? Do you believe He is still able to perform miracles?
Do you believe a man who plotted murder against God’s people could suddenly, miraculously have a change of heart and become one of His greatest advocates? God did that with Saul who became Paul. When you think of the most wicked people in the world today, do you believe God could save and change them in the same way?
The God who is with you right now is the same God who delivered in every one of those circumstances. He can deliver you, too!
The Strength of God in Us
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:10 are a paradox. We don’t often think of hardship and difficulties in life as a sign of strength or joy. Our culture often celebrates the physically and mentally strong, and it’s easy to elevate those who are successful and talented.
But Paul says that God works differently among those who follow Him. Rather than looking for those who are naturally talented and strong, God likes to use those who are weak and humble.
Our natural successes and talents can get in the way of God working in our life, but when we are weak and helpless, we must rely on God’s strength alone.
That is why Paul says he delights in difficulty, persecution, and hardship—because it’s in those moments that God is able to be his strength and joy. God forms character in times of difficulty.
Paul was not a naturally gifted speaker or writer, and yet God worked mightily within his weakness to produce powerful speeches and letters that are part of Scripture....