Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
Have you ever had a question before? Obviously... the answer is yes. From the years of our childhood with the ever-looming question of “why?” to the more basic of “Hey Siri, where is the closest Target?” We are always asking questions, and we want answers. Lucky for us, we do live in the age of the internet where it feels like every answer is a quick Google search away. A whole wealth of knowledge is literally at the edge of our fingertips! Heck, even with modern A.I., it feels like it is getting even easier to obtain knowledge, or even write essays (yeah, that was directed at students).
With all this information, it can be so easy to find answers to questions we might have, even with our faith and different theologies. With that being said, we have to be careful, because as we all know, the internet, with all of its correct information, is also full of wrong information. Paul even specifically talks about false teachers in today’s reading. So, it is important that as we look for answers to some of our questions about God, we make sure to always check with the Bible, God’s Word. I have plenty of books, podcasts, and preachers that I listen to, to help answer and grow my knowledge of the Bible, God, and theology, but I am also careful to test what they say against God’s Word, and you should be too!
There are many who teach wrong theology about God and add to the gospel today in the modern world and in Paul’s time. They use God for their own personal gain. This bothered Paul deeply that these, as Paul calls them, “super apostles,” were spreading a false gospel. Some scholars believe this was Paul’s “thorn.” Though we do not know for sure what the thorn actually was. What we do know is that Paul had a thorn and it troubled him.
Now, it might be comforting to you, like it is with me, that Paul struggled. Like literally, the Captain America of the Faith struggled. But what is amazing to me is that God did not remove the struggle but instead allowed it to persist. This can be a very hard reality that we face, because though we always want an answer from God, we don’t always like the ones we get. It sometimes feels just... unfair.
Paul must have felt the same way because he asked multiple times for the thorn to be removed, and the answer he received was “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v9). Now Paul could’ve been mad at God and thrown a fit, but what he does is even more incredible. Paul realizes that no matter how hard life gets, how unfair life may be... God is enough.
Through all of the struggles of life, it is when we humble ourselves and realize that we cannot do it on our own. That life is not made for us but for something, for Someone, so much greater. Our lives are to point to God and His grace even in the hardships. For in our weakness, we are made strong. In the persecution, sickness, and unfairness of life, we can be made strong because our hope is not in ourselves and what we accomplish, but our hope is in the saving, life-changing grace that was given to us 2000 years ago on the Cross of Calvary when Jesus gave His life for us! We have the hope of Christ to persevere because we know that one day we will be with Him in eternity, where there will be no more pain, no more tears, no sickness, no death, only the glory that is God!
With this hope, we humble ourselves to allow God to work even in the difficulties of life. God will use us; He will strengthen you to His call on your life. Be encouraged and look around at the opportunities to proclaim the gospel, especially when it is so hard to do so.
Next Steps:
- Sit and think about an area of your life where you feel like it is unfair or hard.
- Bring it to God in prayer, ask God how HE can be glorified through the situation.
- Pray that God will take this weakness or struggle and turn it for His Good.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
FALL AT VENTURE
KXP, MVMNT, The Gathering, House Church, and Care Groups are all starting back this fall! You can check the Fall at Venture webpage for launch dates and events happening this fall at Venture.