Bigger, better, more?

 
Someone close to us belongs to a large cult. Yesterday he called and boasted of an upcoming international gathering that would be a huge bonus to the city he lives in. Several times he mentioned that thousands of people would attend. I didn’t know what to say, but the Apostle Paul did. 

He wrote to the church at Corinth that were inundated with false teachers. He first urged them to keep the promise they made in giving, and to do it without expecting any payback. However, he also told them that, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. . . . (because) He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6–12)

Then he addressed the boasting of the false teachers by reluctantly doing the same thing, but not boasting about his power but his hardships and weaknesses…

To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. (2 Corinthians 11:21–33)

Thinking of this, I could have told the cult member who boasted of the size of their gathering that I’ve seen God do amazing things through one person or just a few. What about the boy who offered five loaves and two fish? What about Paul? What about Martin Luther, or Billy Graham? God isn’t interested in the efforts of many and their boastings. 

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

He offers redemption and eternal life through the efforts of One, and through the weakness of His death. He uses ordinary men and women who are weak in themselves and relying on His grace and power to do whatever He asks. Paul learned this:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7–10)

With that description, Paul challenges his readers to make certain they have faith and that Christ lives in them. It isn’t about their numbers or power, it is about Jesus and their love for Him. 

PRAY: I understand Paul’s thinking. He was glad when he was weak because You could then use him to reach and strengthen others. Again, this is not about boasting or trying to make an impression with numbers or statistics. You use weakness, and while I don’t like it, I do know that when I am weak, others can be blessed.

Governed by fear?

Exodus 23; Job 41; John 2; 2 Corinthians 1

Yesterday I heard an attack on social media for being part of the widespread fear concerning the coronavirus because much of what is flying around is false news. This is the first verse I read in the Bible this morning:

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. (Exodus 23:1)

A few minutes later, I read these verses:

You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. (Exodus 23:25–27)

This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.’ (Deuteronomy 2:25)

Putting this together with the false reports and the panic that is hitting many people (but not all of them) it is obviously wrong to spread false news. The regular media does it. So do terrified people. So do many in social media. Even before that became a reality, I was receiving false information via email. In the early days, I probably spread some of it myself before I learned to check sources and make sure things are true.

The other obvious in these verses is that God can bless His people by putting terror in the hearts of their enemies. Mmmm. Most of the people I’ve talked with are not afraid of this latest strain of the flu. Most of them also consider the widespread fear as real fear but somewhat overblown. This week, one radio broadcaster said that normal flu strains kill about 41,000 Americans each flu season while this one had killed in the USA only 17. 

While that number could increase, the threat is not as severe as the reaction warrant. Or is it? What is behind the panic? False news? Or is it true? Media pressures? Who knows?

Since God is not the author of fear, is this a tactic by Satan to throw the world into chaos? Has God allowed it for some reason — such as getting a comfortable population to take more seriously the prospect of dying?

I have no idea. I just know that I am not afraid of being sick. If the most extreme thing happened — getting the virus and dying — I would be ushered into the presence of the Lord. Two years ago, my hubby got H1N1 and nearly died, but he was also ready to die. He was not filled with panic. Is it time for the world to consider their readiness to meet their Maker? Could be, but again, I have no idea.

My confidence is in the Lord. I also read today what the Apostle Paul experienced and that God brought him through it all. If peril or great challenges await me, He can take care of me. In these verses, Paul is defending his apostleship, but he is also witnessing to the protection of the Lord . . .

“ . . . . Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying . . . .” (2 Corinthians 11:21–33)

APPLY: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7) therefore, He can help me in this crisis to be loving toward others, thinking soundly, and having peace in my heart. Just trust Him. No matter what happens, He is my Lord and Savior and worthy of my faith.