Friday
Aug252006
Affliction, Deliverance and the Promises of God
Friday, August 25, 2006 at 10:17PM
For those reading this in the U.S., I doubt that you think very often about the fact that you are in North America. I know I didn’t. Here, we are constantly reminded of the fact that not only do we live in Mongolia, but that we live in Asia.
I would also guess that most of you, when you pick up your Bible, pick it up expecting to be encouraged or blessed or perhaps challenged. I know I do.
So, the other day when I picked up my Bible and read the following verse, I confess that I really just wanted to go back to bed:
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself (2 Corinthians 1:8).
Bernie was quick to remind me that if you go on to read the rest of the passage, God delivers. Another confession here – I don’t really like having to be delivered. You don’t get delivered from pleasant or easy. You need to be delivered from painful or difficult.
Let me clarify that so far the affliction we have experienced since our arrival in UB has been minimal, practically non-existent. We have it remarkably easy here so far. I’m very grateful for the cushion God has given us. I know there will be hard times ahead. But I know that when they come, there is a God who will deliver us in His time.
After I regrouped and began to read again, I finished my reading with this:
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for
the blessing granted us through the prayers of many (v. 9).
There are so many of you praying – holding the ropes for us. I am humbled; I am grateful; I am blessed. Thank you. Some day we will all give thanks together for God’s blessing upon this land because God has answered our prayers.
On a lighter note, here are some things I miss that I took for granted:
1. Safety seals on food products.
2. Non-smoking sections in restaurants.
3. Grass
4. EPA pollution controls.
5. Ease of communication.
6. Friends
I would also guess that most of you, when you pick up your Bible, pick it up expecting to be encouraged or blessed or perhaps challenged. I know I do.
So, the other day when I picked up my Bible and read the following verse, I confess that I really just wanted to go back to bed:
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself (2 Corinthians 1:8).
Bernie was quick to remind me that if you go on to read the rest of the passage, God delivers. Another confession here – I don’t really like having to be delivered. You don’t get delivered from pleasant or easy. You need to be delivered from painful or difficult.
Let me clarify that so far the affliction we have experienced since our arrival in UB has been minimal, practically non-existent. We have it remarkably easy here so far. I’m very grateful for the cushion God has given us. I know there will be hard times ahead. But I know that when they come, there is a God who will deliver us in His time.
After I regrouped and began to read again, I finished my reading with this:
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for
the blessing granted us through the prayers of many (v. 9).
There are so many of you praying – holding the ropes for us. I am humbled; I am grateful; I am blessed. Thank you. Some day we will all give thanks together for God’s blessing upon this land because God has answered our prayers.
On a lighter note, here are some things I miss that I took for granted:
1. Safety seals on food products.
2. Non-smoking sections in restaurants.
3. Grass
4. EPA pollution controls.
5. Ease of communication.
6. Friends
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