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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
October 9
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Today's Pathway:
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Yesterday Paul discussed the numerous trials and sufferings that he had faced. In verses 9-10 he writes that the Lord delivered him from these situations. In the beginning of verse 9 he reiterates that he and his fellow laborers had the "sentence of death" in themselves. In other words, they were convinced in their own minds that they were going to die. Because of this, Paul knew that he could not deliver himself. If there was any help available to him, it was going to have to come from God Himself. Therefore, He placed his trust in God and not in himself.
Paul writes that he can put his trust in God first of all because God raises the dead. Robert Gromacki wrote,
"The two most important events that man faces in this life are spiritual death and physical death. If God can quicken a dead sinner and give him spiritual life, then He can solve man’s present spiritual, mental, and physical needs."
I find it amazing in my own life that I have chosen to trust my eternal destiny to God, but yet I struggle to trust Him as far as tomorrow is concerned. Paul understood that the God Who could save His soul could also spare his life. Second, Paul trusts the Lord because He has already delivered him from death. In verse 10 he teaches that God has delivered him in the past, and is currently delivering him, so he knows that the Lord can do so in the future. The word "deliver" carries the idea of being rescued. God has rescued him previously from a variety of troubles. One example of this would be found in Acts 14:19-20 where we read,
"And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe."
Most Biblical commentators agree that Paul actually was killed by the stoning, but God brought him back to life, and did it so completely that Paul was able to stand up, walk back into the city, and take a journey the next day. Suffice it to say, if God could do that for Paul in Lystra, he could surely do it for him anywhere else. Bruce Hurt made this observation:
"How can we learn this great truth that God delivers His children if we never encounter trials, afflictions, or adversities out of which He might supernaturally deliver us? the next time the trial or test comes, don't fight it. Submit to it. Yield to God's Spirit. Cling to Him. And wait on Him. And ask others to pray for you, so they can participate in the miracle and be encouraged by the greatness of our God, giving Him thanks and all the glory."
In verse 11 Paul mentions the importance of prayer. The tense of the verb "helping" indicates that this was a continuous action on the part of the Corinthians. Their prayers were assisting in God's provision. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:18-20,
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
Paul concludes verse 11 by stating that when the prayers of the believers are answered, then those believers will be able to give thanks to God for what He has done. When God answers our prayers we should be as faithful in our thankfulness and praise to him as we were in bringing our requests to Him.
Are you trusting God, or trusting yourself? The God Who saved you from sin can save you from whatever crisis you are facing today. Ask Him diligently to do so, and when he does, glorify Him for His goodness and mercy.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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