2 Corinthians 12:7-10

One of God’s reasons for sending adversity into our lives is to conquer pride. Paul experienced this kind of divine intervention through the presence of what he called “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). The Lord used pain in Paul’s life to guard his effectiveness as a servant of Christ.

We don’t usually realize what’s at stake when we allow pride to take root in our lives. It affects how God interacts with us because He “is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). If a Christian lets pride take root and grow, the Lord will set him on a shelf. Then the believer will never realize the potential of all that God wanted to do in and through him. In essence, he will miss his calling and become useless in the kingdom. Even if the world still sees him as a success, in the Lord’s eyes, his ministry is worthless because it’s self-motivated and self-empowered.

Can you see how much was at stake for Paul–and for believers throughout history? The apostle was God’s chosen instrument to establish churches and write letters that would become a major portion of our New Testament. When he understood the reason for his “thorn,” Paul reacted with complete trust and gratitude for the Lord’s wise and loving protection.

Perhaps you can see why adversity was essential for Paul–but it’s also vital for you. Each of us has been given areas of influence and opportunities to serve, but pride hinders the fulfillment of the Lord’s goals for our lives. If trouble comes, humble yourself immediately so God can use you greatly.

 “Unabridged” is a funny word to find beside the title of a dictionary. Of course, in the case of Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary the term is used more as a claim of thoroughness than of sovereignty, as if to say, “We are the most complete dictionary of our class,” and not, “Herein lies the comprehensive listing of all known words.” The team of individuals working toward the task of composing or updating a dictionary knows better than most that a complete and unabridged glossary of terms simply isn’t possible. For starters, one book could not house every word in the English language. Moreover, it could hardly keep up with the claim; new words are forever emerging: “Scratchiti” (words or images engraved or etched illegally into surfaces in a public place) and “ludology” (the study of video games and game playing) are two of the more recent additions to the Oxford English Dictionary this year, not to mention the ever-growing host of new medical and technological terms.(1) According to Webster Online, words also occasionally “die” from lack of use. The world of words is evidently a vast and active place. 

 In the Hebrew Scriptures, when God called Moses to go and speak with the people of Israel under slavery in Egypt, Moses was all too aware that he didn’t have the words within him for the task. “O Lord,” he announced, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” But God responded, “Who gave man his mouth?  Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But still Moses asked God to send someone else to do it.(2)

 Whether Moses was afraid of speaking for God or speaking to the Israelites, most of us can in some way relate to his heartfelt plea. According to several surveys, public speaking is the greatest fear of the vast majority, a phobia ranked even above the fear of death. And speaking for God could certainly complicate the anxiety. Many of the prophets chosen by God to be his voice among the people spoke of the weight of such a task, coupled with the concern of speaking to a world that didn’t want to hear. Each time the prophet was reminded similarly: The God who set the world in place with a word will surely put the words in your mouth. Jesus likewise instructed the disciples in their ministering, “Make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”

 The vast and daunting world of words is met with this thought. God is yet the giver of words and wisdom. Whether speaking for God or of God—or speaking at all—all wisdom is God’s wisdom. Thus Paul asks the people of Ephesus, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” That the words of our mouths may be pleasing in God’s sight is a prayer that leads God’s own again and again to his Word. “Remain in me,” said Jesus to the disciples before he went to the cross, “and let my words remain in you.” His words are more vast and active than any dictionary, wisdom unabridged.

 God who speaks and who asks us to speak offers wisdom in person in the Son, the assurance that we are heard by the Father, and the promise of the Spirit to help us with the words. God who set the world in place with words still speaks.

 Jill Carattini is managing editor of A Slice of Infinity at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.

 (1) Oxford English Dictionary, “New Words March 2012,” http://www.oed.com/public/newwords0312, accessed May 1, 2012.
(2) Exodus 4:10-12.

 Morning “If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” / Exodus 20:25

 God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or

labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the

doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with

the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the

gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the

truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord’s own Word are

defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a

hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are

dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up,

natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift

up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember

that so far from perfecting the Saviour’s work, their carnal confidences only

pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of

atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured.

There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His

dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord

Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and

fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be

the altar of thine atonement, and rest in him alone.

 

Many professors may take warning from this morning’s text as to the doctrines

which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to

square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence

and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it;

rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the

more fit to build an altar for the Lord.

 

Evening “As it began to dawn, came Magdalene, to see the sepulchre.” / Matthew 28:1

 Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus.

Notice how she sought. She sought the Saviour very early in the morning. If

thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of having fellowship

with him at some distant season, thou wilt never have fellowship at all; for

the heart that is fitted for communion is a hungering and a thirsting heart.

She sought him also with very great boldness. Other disciples fled from the

sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, “stood” at

the sepulchre. If you would have Christ with you, seek him boldly. Let nothing

hold you back. Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She sought Christ

faithfully–she stood at the sepulchre. Some find it hard to stand by a living

Saviour, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after this mode,

cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with him, remaining faithful

though all others should forsake him. Note further, she sought Jesus

earnestly–she stood “weeping”. Those tear-droppings were as spells that led

the Saviour captive, and made him come forth and show himself to her. If you

desire Jesus’ presence, weep after it! If you cannot be happy unless he come

and say to you, “Thou art my beloved,” you will soon hear his voice. Lastly,

she sought the Saviour only. What cared she for angels, she turned herself

back from them; her search was only for her Lord. If Christ be your one and

only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will not long lack the

comfort of his presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much.

Let us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart,

like Mary’s, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be satisfied

with nothing short of himself. O Lord, reveal thyself to us this evening!

Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.

Psalm 56:9 

It is impossible for any human speech to express the full meaning of this delightful phrase, “God is for me.” He was for us before the worlds were made. He was for us or He would not have given His well-beloved Son; He was for us when He smote the Only-begotten and laid the full weight of His wrath upon Him—He was for us, though He was against Him. He was “for us” when we were ruined in the Fall—He loved us notwithstanding all. He was for us when we were rebels against Him and with a high hand were bidding Him defiance. He was for us or He would not have brought us humbly to seek His face. He has been for us in many struggles; we have been summoned to encounter hosts of dangers; we have been assailed by temptations from without and within—how could we have remained unharmed to this hour if He had not been for us?

He is for us with all the infinity of His being, with all the omnipotence of His love, with all the infallibility of His wisdom. Arrayed in all His divine attributes, He is for us—eternally and immutably for us; for us when the heavens shall be rolled up like a worn-out robe; for us throughout eternity. And because He is for us, the voice of prayer will always ensure His help. “Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call.” This is no uncertain hope, but a well-grounded assurance—”this I know.”

I will direct my prayer unto You and will look up for the answer, assured that it will come and that my enemies shall be defeated, for “God is for me.” O believer, how happy you are with the King of kings on your side! How safe with such a Protector! How sure your cause pleaded by such an Advocate! If God be for you, who can be against you?

Family Reading Plan Jeremiah 9 Matthew 23