Overcoming Suffering
Welcome to tax day 2015! I was going to go to the post office and remembered what day it is, so decided I better hold off until tomorrow. I actually need to file an amended return and will get to that over the next few days. The good news for all the tax preparers is that their work load will significantly decrease and for some seasonal prepares come to an end. I think some celebration for those people and those receiving refunds is in order.
We have cooler weather and a strong wind. I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to navigate with a walker in wind, but it is. Before the weather set in for the day, I did get out and use my electric tiller to work in the garden. I was actually able to stand up and us the tiller (with the security of my wheelchair behind me) for most of the project. I’m ready for some rain, but it hasn’t materialized as of yet.
I also made a visit to the recumbent bike shop to start looking for a bike that I can use outdoors as the weather improves. Signs of spring are showing and I noticed the variation of trees in our neighborhood recently.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Five times I was given the thirty-nine lashes by the Jews; three times I was whipped by the Romans; and once I was stoned….” (2 Corinthians 11:24,25 GNT) “To conclude: let no one give me any more trouble, because the scars I have on my body show that I am the slave of Jesus.” (Galatians 6:17 GNT)
Perhaps it is the proximity to Easter and seeing some scenes from the “Passion of Christ” or other movies with scenes of the crucifixion; but for some reason these verses where Paul lists his trials and sufferings for Christ stood out to me. I am sure I have read this passage at least 100 times in my Christian life, but it is easy to gloss over it. Every once in a while when we read scripture, we need to stop and say, “what?!”
One timeline of Paul’s Christian life establishes about 32 years from his conversion to his death. It is estimated that he wrote his second letter to the Corinthians in 57 A.D., twenty-one years into his Christian life. The reason I place this in context is that by this time Paul would have endured the eight beatings total by the hands of the Jews and Romans. If you were to spread them out, that averages just over once every three years. One beating of that severity in a lifetime would be enough for most people! Then we read in Acts when Paul was stoned, and taken outside the city and left for dead. (Acts 14:19)
This helps us to put into context any “persecution” that we feel we face in our culture today. Certainly we do see Christians throughout the world that do suffer for their faith and many recently have given their lives for the cause of Christ.
The evidence of Paul’s devotion was readily seen in “his body.” The scars left from his treatment would have been gut wrenching I am sure. He viewed them as signs of his slavery to Christ and the gospel. But in the midst of it all Paul told the Philippians, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.“ (Philippians 3:14)
There are trials and sufferings that believers face today. They may not be the physical torture that the great Apostle endured, but they still try our faith and our focus and our resolve. As a result, we need a strength that comes from outside of ourselves and that is not possible through human effort. We take heart in God’s Word. God spoke through Isaiah of old to His people in distress and said, “Do not be afraid—I am with you! I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Pastor Steve Harris was sharing with the men of Timberline on Monday night. He shared the words to a song that he and Sherri used to sing. I recall my wife Debbie singing it as well. It is taken from Paul’s life and resolve.
When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall
When the choices are hard
When we’re battered and scarred
When we’ve spent our resources
When we’ve given our all
In Jesus’ name, we press on
In Jesus’ name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
In the challenges of life you will find the strength to press on, as you trust in the power of Jesus name.