He is Strong!

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Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV

What in the world can the writer of today’s verse mean when he says he takes pleasure in sickness, insults and poverty? Then he sums all these issues up with the final word distresses. Who in their right mind, likes any of these things? The word distresses, that Paul says that he takes pleasure in, means being put into a tight place; like being backed into a corner. Have you felt that the circumstances, the people or even just your own past decisions have backed you into a blind alley? Today’s wonderful news that Paul shares with us is that even at those seemingly hopeless moments when we are surrounded on every side by problems, God is always and entirely in control. He gives us something even greater than deliverance from them: He gives us grace in them, and even in the middle of our distresses, He offers us His strength!

A Month of Sundays

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 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:3 ESV

Keeping up with our grandmother’s brisk pace was indeed a daunting task and “At this rate we won’t get there in a month of Sundays” was something that she loved to say, whenever was one of us was dawdling along, behind. Yet keeping up with Grandmother, was nothing in comparison with keeping up with the Almighty. Imagine for a moment, the speed of the six days of creation. They were like God going out for a walk around the universe at a break-neck rate. God created, light and darkness, planets and constellations, oceans, and continents, and that was just the first two days!

As God continued, projects, seemed to fly off His workbench, each one greater than the one before. Then on day six, God paused, stooped down to scoop up some clay, and He formed man with His own hands and in His own image. Finally, God breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life, and He named Him Adam. But as God watched Adam, for the first time God noticed something that was not good. Adam was alone. So, God caused Adam to sleep, and it was while he was resting, that God took a rib to create Eve as his companion. Then on the seventh day, God Himself rested. After six fast and furious days, I believe that God slowed His pace, so that His children could catch up to Him. Walking at a speed that would take a month of Sundays to go around the garden of Eden was not a problem for God. In fact, God loved that seventh day so much that the Bible tells us that He gave it a special blessing and called it Holy! If it delighted God to slow His pace to walk with us, why are we always in such a hurry? Maybe a month of Sundays in our life might be just what pleases Him most!

Come Rest Awhile

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Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” …
Mark 6:31 NLT

Come rest awhile from working through the night
From all men’s expectations
And your own machinations
Come rest in faith that sees beyond your sight

Come rest from sin and all regret’s demands
And from your shame, and every hidden doubt
The unanswered questions and fears that stalk about
Come find your rest in God’s Almighty hands

Come rest awhile when everything seems lost
Just as I slept when the boat was tossed
By that great storm - and the deck by waves was washed
Till at my Word the wind and sea were hushed

Come Rest Awhile
by Peter Caligiuri
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