2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-10 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”
THEME OF THE DAY: AT THE END OF OUR ROPES. Ever wonder where the idiom “I am at the end of my rope” originated and what it means? It is from 17th century America and means to be completely out of patience, energy, or options to deal with a difficult situation, indicating a feeling of desperation and that one is at their breaking point. Now the other question, ever feel that way? Sure, you have. Sure, I have, and sure we will. And in today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul is at the end of his rope too. He describes the pain, emotional and spiritual, as “being utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself”.
Why do God’s children go through such depths of emotional and spiritual pain? When it comes to why questions concerning the ways of God, we are not “owed” answers. See Job. He asked a ton of why questions without getting them answered. As one reads the Psalms, we encounter numerous occasions of such suffering in God’s people and not without clear answers. But in today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul gives us answers. He encourages us with a couple of reasons for God taking us to the end of our ropes.
First, God teaches us how weak we truly are when left to ourselves. We will never come to the Lord in total reliance until we realize and experience that we cannot handle life’s trials without Him. This is the position He wants us – living in child-like faith in Him.
Another lesson God teaches us when we are at the end of our ropes in life’s many difficulties is how strong He is and willing to be our source of strength. When we experience His power and presence, we are quick to truly give Him all the glory and credit for what He has done in our lives. We know it was all of Him, and that is truly what life is all about – Him.
So, we shouldn’t be afraid to come to the end of our ropes. Yes, it is painful, but necessary and that for our good and His glory.
PRAYER: Father, let me see that You are taking me to the end of my rope to teach me trust in You.
REFLECTION: Don’t despair when God takes us to the breaking point. He is about to show more of Himself to us.