"Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:9).
Returning to 2 Corinthians, we find four fundamental and important points to conclude our examination of suffering in the Christian life: 1) even the most eminent saints go through painful and even life-threatening trials; 2) God uses suffering to teach us to depend totally on Him; 3) God is faithful to deliver, and we can find confidence to face present trials by remembering His past mercies; and 4) intercessory prayer is important for the advancement of mutual thanksgiving and Christian fellowship.
First, we do not know exactly where Paul ran into such deadly troubles or of what those troubles were composed. Most likely he alludes to trials of different kinds that he encountered after he left Ephesus and traveled to Macedonia. The trials could have been severe illnesses, but it is more than likely that he is referring to attempts against his life. We must not pass over this passage without feeling the weight of Paul’s plight. The circumstances that surrounded Paul’s ministry had become so dangerous that he was convinced that he could not escape and that he would surely die at the hands of his enemies (or whatever threatened his life). God brought Paul to the point of despair, of having no hope in his present circumstances or his own abilities.
This leads us to our second point, that God brings us to a point of brokenness, to a point where we no longer have anyone to turn to or any hope except in Him. In doing this, He teaches us to rely on Him who alone is able to deliver us from any situation—even death. And isn’t this exactly what He has promised us? Though we shall certainly die, He will raise us up again and give us eternal life. When we know and trust that He is faithful and when we remember the many times He has shown us mercy in the past, we possess confidence in any trial that we may be dealing with in the present.
Lastly, suffering gives others in the body of Christ opportunity to pray for us and, thus, rejoice with us when God brings deliverance. When we pray for one another, we are able to share in the common love we have in Christ, and we are able to lift up thanksgivings to God with one voice as we praise Him for His mercy and His love.
Call your pastor today or whoever is in charge of your church’s prayer chain (if you have one). Ask him for the name of one person who needs intercessory prayer. Join with others in your church who are also praying for that person. Continue to pray until the situation is resolved in some way, then join with others in thanksgiving to God.
