Daily Thought

In this little cameo of personal experience, Paul allows us to appreciate a difficulty through which he passed for the cause of Christ, and the prayer-fellowship entered into on his behalf by these Corinthian believers. Could this be an encouragement and source of strength to me today? ‘Is there trouble anywhere? . . . Take it to the Lord in prayer!’, J. SCRIVEN.

His time at Ephesus, undoubtedly referred to here, had climaxed with his life placed in peril. He had known the very depth of despair as unprecedented pressure was brought to bear on him for the sake of the gospel.

However, one of the purposes of this weight being brought to bear on him was so that he would look away from himself and his frailty, to the God who not only had the power to save but also to keep. God’s power massively demonstrated in resurrection was that power which moved to protect and preserve him.

Oh, that Elisha’s prayer for his servant might be realized in us - that our eyes might be opened to see the power of heaven available to preserve us!, see 2 Kgs. 6. 17.

Paul reflects with gratitude on the threefold deliverance effected by God - the One who ‘delivered’ in the past, ‘doth deliver’ in the present, and will ‘yet deliver’ in the future. The word on which his experience hinges is ‘trust’. This was no mere theory with Paul, but rather, a daily experiential matter. It enabled him to face every situation with utmost confidence. When we fear, we do not trust; when we trust, we do not fear!

But why tell the Corinthians all this? Simply because they had a part in his deliverance, ‘ye also helping together by prayer for us’. What a wonderful sense of responsibility and reciprocation. They owed him a debt in their salvation. Now they prayed for him in his troubles. Fellowship in prayer knows no barriers, no distance problem, no cultural or language obstacles. Nothing and no one can thwart that appeal of prayer which wings its way to our Father. Do you know of someone in difficulty, from whatever source? Pray for them today. It may be that in days to come they will recount their story, and you can share in their triumph because you helped together in praying for them.