2 Corinthians 7:13b-16

2 Corinthians 7:13b-16

And upon our encouragement, we were being joyful even much more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all, because in whatever I have boasted to him about you all I was not being put to shame.  Rather, as I said everything to you all in truth, in the same way our boasting upon Titus has become true.  And his affection into you all is exceedingly abounding while being reminded of every amount of your obedience as you all received him with fear and trembling.  I rejoice because in all things I have complete confidence in you all.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As we look at this passage, we can see that it is actually another tender moment for Paul.  It would be easy for him to focus on himself, but that is not what he does.  Yesterday we saw that Paul was most appreciative of how the Corinthians brought joy to Titus.  Today he reiterates that very point.  Paul rejoices because Titus got to see reconciliation at work.  It is one thing to know reconciliation yourself.  It is another thing to watch someone else get to experience reconciliation first hand as well.

Have you ever been able to mentor someone through reconciliation?  How does it feel when someone you know gets to experience how reconciliation actually works first-hand?

Second Thought:

Assurance.  Paul has been able to make some pretty grand claims.  Paul assured Titus that the Corinthians would listen to him.  Paul assured the Corinthians that Titus was a good man and able to be a good representative of the truth.  We see that is true here today.  Paul’s words were proven true.  So is Paul just a really good judge of character?  Perhaps.  However, I believe that what Paul is even better at is relying upon the Lord.  Paul never lost faith that God would work in this situation.  It isn’t Paul that is great, it is the God in whom Paul trusts that is great.

How difficult is it to trust in God when things are going poorly?  Why is this difficult?  How rewarding is it to trust in God through the difficult times once the difficult times are behind us?

Third Thought:

What started as a huge issue between Paul and the Corinthian churches suddenly has been able to be a point to which Titus can look back and have his joy increase.  Paul says that when Titus thinks about what has happened in Corinth that his joy abounds exceedingly.  It is amazing to see just how much God can redeem things when people are willing to let them be redeemed.  It is amazing at just how much bigger our God is than we petty human beings who would like to make life about ourselves.

What has God redeemed in your life?  What can God still redeem?  Where do you have hope for redemption in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7