Continue To Rescue Us

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

1 Corinthians 1:3-11

There are times when we know the pain of despair. A good family gone bad. Health issues that overpower us. Financial issues that make us plead for help. Faith that is called into question. We despair about our very being. We feel dejected.

Know that you will never, ever be tested beyond what you can tolerate. God will use you in your weakest hour, to make you the strongest you can ever be.

At times, life’s pain can become so overwhelming that we are tempted to despair.

Trials can make life seem not worth living. Focusing on ourselves can lead to despair. But putting our trust in God gives us an entirely different perspective. As long as we live in this world, we can be certain that our all-sufficient God will sustain us. And as His followers, we will always have a divine purpose.

Trials make us think;

thinking makes us wise;

wisdom makes life profitable.

Our Daily Bread – March 13, 2009