Friday, May 27
Resilience
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23-24, Psalm 62, 2 Corinthians 11
2 Corinthians 11:21–30 But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare: 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.
24 Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing. 28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.
Observation
Paul defended his apostleship against the false “super-apostles.” He fought fire with fire, unwillingly boasting of his credentials to prove to the Corinthians that he was the real deal. But rather than boast of his accomplishments, he boasted of his suffering, hardships and weaknesses: what he endured for Christ. “Are they servants of Christ? I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.” He goes on to give an incredible list of what he suffered for Christ.
Application
We tend to think that God owes us an easy and happy life, and when hardship or suffering happens (which it inevitably will), we are shocked, disappointed, angry, and even abandon God. We show very little resilience. “Why me?” we wonder.
Paul seemed to think that he owed Jesus a live fully surrendered to His service no matter what happened to him. He expected suffering and hardship as a result, and showed remarkable resilience. No “Why me?” from Paul.
Paul said, “You want to know if I’m a true apostle of Christ? Here are my credentials: beatings, lashings, imprisonment, stoning, shipwreck, hunger, toil and danger.”
And I don’t want to be inconvenienced.
I want to be more like Paul. I want to be so cognizant of all God has done for me in Christ that I willingly surrender and serve no matter the cost. I will expect hardship as part of the deal, and embrace it joyfully and be resilient! I know that I owe Jesus everything!
And I want to help my fellow believers have a robust understanding of what God has done for them in Christ and so live fully surrendered lives that don’t wilt under pressure, but grow stronger in the face of suffering.
Prayer: Lord, I have so many friends right now who are suffering in various ways. Give them a resilient faith. Help them move toward You not away from You.