Verse of the Day 3/24

Verse of the Day 3/24

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, ⁵ so that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power.   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Yesterday, my personal devotions began the passage in Job where he faced Satan's attacks and was comforted by his three friends by their "being there".  They spent a week with him without speaking, but strengthening him with their presence.  It was the best thing they would end up doing for him as they later turned to criticism and judgment.

I then read the passage in 1 Corinthians where today's verses come from.  The preceding verse (3) stated, "³ And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling," ESV. It reminded me of the passage in Job, the big differences was what came after the silence.  In Jobs case, they fell back to their own reasoning, their own thoughts in their own power.  Paul was saying that he wasn't trying to come up with things with "persuasive" human wisdom but relied on God's Spirit and the power of His Word to instill faith in them that would reveal God's power working in their lives.

He had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, chased out of Thessolonica and Berea and ridiculed in Athens.  His own power must have been sapped and in weakness he wrote to encourage those in Corinth to have faith.  Jobs friends at first came to him in weakness.  They didn't have the answers, didn't have the words to say, and instead of "forcing it", they comforted Job by their presence. 

When we have the opportunity to help someone, to encourage someone going through a difficult time, may we do so with our presence, letting them know that we're there for them that we care for them.  May we remember what God has done for us through our own trials.  When words come, may they not be forced, but may they come by God's Spirit, may His Word come with power to offer comfort and strength.

^" I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else."  1 Corinthians 2:3-5 The Message

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Corinthians 2:1-5The Message (MSG)

2 ^1-2 You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified.

^3-5 I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.