‘Rise up, set out on your journey and go over the Valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession, and contend with him in battle. Deuteronomy 2:24 (ESV)
God was quite specific in his instructions to Israel, they were not to fight with the giant defeating people that were essentially family to them (mount Seir were the people of Esau, their brother and Moab and Ammon their cousins).
When it came time for this new generation to fight, they could do so with confidence and faith because God speaks through Moses saying he has already given Sihon into their hands. God calls us today like he called the new generation in the wilderness to begin to take ground and fight the enemy in battle, we must respond in faith because he has given us the victory already. See 2 Corinthians 10:4
just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you. 2 Corinthians 1:14 (ESV)
When Paul speaks about boasting (verses 12-14) it can seem strange to us as boasting usually has a negative image of pride and lifting up ourselves. However the boasting Paul is talking about is a different kind of boasting, it is closely connected to the word confidence and declares he can boast in God and the cross.
This was a contradiction to the Corinthians who were still caught up in pride and had brought into the culture around them which taught them to belittle others and boast in ability, opportunity and status.
Paul’s life and the Gospel was a stark contradiction of these values as he was meek, humble and weak, not virtues esteemed among the Corinthians, they did not respect this about him or his ministry. Therefore Paul wants them to understand the core of the gospel and the life it produces, one of servanthood and humility and he wants their value system to be so transformed that they will boast in this weakness (ultimately the cross) with him.
Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 2 Corinthians 1:15 (ESV)
This second experience of grace would come through Paul’s visit, through which he would show them Gods grace, remind them of the message of Gods grace and give the opportunity to show Gods grace by giving to the poor saints in Jerusalem.
My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Psalm 31:15 (ESV)
God is sovereign over our lives, he determines how long we live, when we live and the amount of time we are allotted in particular circumstances. With that sort of power we should trust him, knowing that our future is not in the enemies hands but God’s
Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Psalm 31:23 (ESV)
We can have confidence in Gods eternal preserving power over us if we love him in faithfulness Jesus prayed this in John 17
Leave a Reply