Delivered by God

Many Christians are aware of the compelling power of a personal testimony in leading people to Jesus Christ.  The man born blind who was healed by Jesus was fiercely interrogated by religious rulers who intimidated his parents from even speaking on his behalf--lest they be excommunicated from the synagogue.  Poisoned by unbelief, those blaspheming rulers judged Jesus to be a sinner and told the man to give God the glory for his miraculous healing.  John 9:25 gives us his brilliant response:  "He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."  Though this man was unskilled in matters of Jewish religion and law compared to those experts, he spoke wisdom by sharing his personal transformation by Jesus these men could not even speak again.  All their scorn could not shake the faith of the man in Jesus.

Something which Christians can overlook is how sharing our personal testimony of God's present faithfulness provides comfort and encouragement to fellow believers.  Paul explained to Christians in Corinth how the suffering he and fellow believers experienced was always accompanied by abundant comfort.  The more intense and fierce the trial, the more consolation God supplied.  Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹ Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, ¹⁰ who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, ¹¹ you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many."

We might assume Paul's testimony would include reports of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ, physical healing, miraculous provision, protection, and people being baptised by the dozens--you know, victorious stuff we would praise God and be impressed by.  But Paul did not mention any of these things.  He believed it was important to tell the Corinthian believers of all the trouble he and the brethren encountered in Asia.  They were burdened beyond measure to the point they despaired of life!  Even though Paul knew he had been enabled to endure and could do all things through Christ who strengthened him, he was honest and transparent about his weakness, limitations of strength and feelings of utter despair.  In his low state he realised the folly of self-reliance and his need to trust God who raises the dead, for our God who raises the dead can deliver the living from death.

Paul encouraged the Corinthians despite difficulties.  Paul's troubles were by no means past, but God had deliverd and was presently delivering them, and Paul was confident of future help by the prayers of Corinthian believers to God.  Paul viewed their prayers offered to the LORD on their behalf great gifts indeed.  When people prayed Paul would have renewed faith, strength and salvation, Paul knew as a result many people would give thanks for God's gracious answer.  Knowing God hears and answers prayer is a great comfort to our souls, and praying to God is a way we can genuinely help others when there is no humanly possible way to help.  Let us be like Paul who was willing to admit his need for help and view prayers offered on our behalf a gift we receive, thankful God hears and answers.