A promise is only as good as the trustworthiness of the one making it. Paul began this letter with the assurance that we can count on the God of all comfort and Father of mercies to comfort us in any and all affliction. And He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever, right?

But we’ve all been on the giving and receiving end of promises made and promises broken and trust doesn’t come easily for us. I’m sure we’ve all had our Psalm 77 moments when we wondered, “Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” (Psalm 77:8–9)

As we continue in 2 Corinthians, the church’s concerns about Paul’s changing travel itinerary seem to reveal a deeper underlying uncertainty about the trustworthiness of God. Surely His word should be enough. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19) But Paul reminds them that God has gone above and beyond and “put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:22) How gracious that God would reassure us in our anxiousness with a sign!

This Sunday Fred Sanders will be preaching 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11 and Walt Harrah will be leading us in sung worship. They would each welcome your prayer as we prepare. And we can pray for one another that we would rest more fully in the confidence that “all the promises of God find their Yes in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).”

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry.

 

Song Link of the Week

How Firm a Foundation recorded by The Petersens

What more can He say
Than to you He has said
To you who for refuge
To Jesus have fled?