A Call To The Remnant

2Co 1:8  For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 

This scripture is often overlooked, passed over rather quickly I think. Perhaps we do not want to think of someone like Paul being in such dire straits? Paul faced death many times in his life but here we see something far more intense, far more spiritual. It touched him to the depths of who he was. Even Paul had to find out that the extremities of this life is the opportunities for God Himself to show Himself strong. If we serve a God that can raise the dead, and we do, then surely we must be able to trust Him to bring us back from the kind of despair that sees only one way out. He has made us able and we can trust Him.

I love Paul’s honesty in addressing this subject. It takes humility and a great deal of security to acknowledge this level, this depth of despair. We see very little of this kind of raw honesty with one another. We are covered with layer over layer of flesh and blood and pride and ego. It is no mistake that we hear this admission from a man that has had, literally and spiritually, the flesh torn from his back. Paul could not only show you his actual scars, he could also tell you about the assaults upon his very mind and soul. So brothers and sisters. If the darkness has come to you and threatens to swallow you whole, there is a light that shines in that darkness. A brilliant shaft of light that pierces even the gross darkness of our hearts and minds, it is the light of God Himself. He has a way of escape for you, even from the gates of hell.

Paul says this a few verses earlier…..For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ…..as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolations. Brothers and sisters, God Himself will come to you and console you. He will comfort you and one day you will comfort others with this same comfort. And share with others how the Lord Jesus came to you like a shaft of brilliant light in the darkness and raised the head that hung low. That lifted up trembling hands as if to touch heaven itself and then be filled with its glory. This is a promise to the saints. You have not been left as an orphan brothers and sisters. I can personally testify to the truths here written and what he has done for Paul, and what He has done for me, He will do for you. God bless you saints. Let us stand together and encourage one another.