Title Am I the Only Pain?
Contents
Hymn: 431 (New Hymn 549) 'As You Will My Lord'
Meditation: From birth to death, humans encounter numerous objects. Life is, in a way, a journey of encounters, and a successful life is a life of wisely coping with these encounters.
Confession of Faith: Apostles' Creed
main text:'… Our afflictions are so that you may be comforted and saved...' (2 Corinthians 1:5-11)
When faced with difficult situations, people ask me why this has happened to me, and it is painful. However, if you stop worrying for a while and look around or look back at history, you will realize that facing life's crises is not unique to me.
Saints are people who can have courage in the face of crisis. This is because we have a sense of unity in the belief that, because the seniors of all faiths have experienced and overcome crises, we will also win, my family and my church. This belief is further evident in the fact that even Jesus, who briefly took on a human body, suffered a crisis on earth.
“… so that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (verse 9). It was the comfort of God that Paul lived in anticipation of. It is not clear what event he refers to when he refers to 'the tribulation in Asia' in verse 8, but his life was actually a series of tribulations. “… they were imprisoned more often, beaten countless times, and almost died many times… ” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). However, he confesses that this tribulation made him rely on and look at the fullness of God.
“He has delivered us from this great death, and will deliver us, and we hope that he will deliver us again” (verse 10). Through this confession, we discover that the tribulations and crises that come in our lives are rather opportunities for God to work, and the times when we will experience a clear experience of faith. The reason Paul actively informed the Corinthian church members of his suffering in Asia was not to boast, but to comfort them by preaching the rule of faith that he always saved himself by looking to God.
Prayer: God, help us to endure all the hardships He has given us with joy. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer