2 CORINTHIANS 1:8–10 – 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. Let’s start out today with an honesty check. Have there been seasons in our lives when circumstances seem very dark, trials intense, and we are just flat-out exhausted over the cares and demands of the world upon us, and we simply feel like crying out, “Lord, I am at the end of my rope. I just cannot take any more of the difficulties in life”?
Every Christian will experience what I just wrote. Granted, the depth of this season is different for every child of God, but we each will go into this dark valley. The great prophet Elijah did – But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4). Read the whole account of Elijah in 1 Kings 18-19. It is a classic example of a weary, exhausted, and depressed believer who wants to “throw in the towel” and call it quits.
In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul, the greatest Christian ever to live, we see a believer feeling the weight of life and service for the Lord and despairing of life itself. So, don’t think it strange when we feel like quitting life and being free from all its burdens – Elijah did, Paul did. But here is the truth and lesson for us when we find ourselves in the Elijah and Paul places.
First, the truth; whatever circumstance we may currently find ourselves in, God has placed us there for His glory and our good, and despite our tough situation, we are not here by random chance. Things in our lives don’t just happen. They are sent. Get a handle on this. Every circumstance, difficult trial, encounter, and activity in our lives come from the Divine Potter for our good. We may see this through the lens of the Apostle Paul’s instructions to the Philippians – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing (Philippians 2:12-14). All activity in life is God working in us. Yes, even, and especially in the most difficult of times. And remember, His greatest work in us will be in those times.
Now the lesson. Did Elijah quit? Did he say, “Lord, this is too hard. I am done” and walk away from the Lord? What about the Apostle Paul? Did he hang up his pen and say, “Lord, no more writing Your Word down. No more sleepless nights in Your service. I am done suffering for Your Name”? No. They didn’t quit, and neither will we. And it won’t be because of anything in us. It is when we are “at the end of our ropes” we learn what the Apostle Paul, Elijah, and every other tried Christian in church history learned – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Oh, by the way, right now, if you are at the end of your rope because of trying times and difficult circumstances, remember these two things – God has you right where He wants you and He will be enough for you by His empowering grace and comforting Presence.
PRAYER: “Father, thank You that no matter how hard life gets, Your grace is always enough.”
QUOTE: “When we feel like we just cannot handle anymore trials, grace will always be greater than the trial.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim