We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia.
We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.
Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.
But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again.
On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.
Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
I don’t want to understate the great distress and troubles that Paul had to go through as a missionary for Jesus. Indeed, a little bit later in the letter (2 Corinthians 11:23–28), Paul will list the trials that he had to endure.
And they far exceed almost anything any of us have had to suffer.
But Paul did not go out of his way in 2 Corinthians 1 to inform us of his distress for his own sake—he informed us for our own sake.
And in so doing, the Holy Spirit provides an important teaching on suffering. One that we can all benefit from.
Thinking of the troubles he has endured, Paul writes, “we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again.”
I wish hardship on no one.
But if you are suffering today—and I know many of you are—even to the point where it feels like death., know that God has a purpose in it. When we have nowhere to turn, we can turn to Him. When we feel like hope is lost, we can find hope knowing that God has delivered us in the past.
And when we find our hope, peace, and deliverance from the God who loves us and holds us, many others will give thanks and be drawn closer to God because of it.
There is power to be found in the God who raises the dead. And there is comfort to be found in a life surrendered to God’s will. I pray you find that today by focusing your faith on Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, remind me You are near. When I am suffering and when I have nowhere else to turn, may I turn to You. And when You deliver me, may my story draw others to trust in You as well. Amen.