2 Corinthians--a Very Misunderstood Epistle

Many commentaries focus on Paul's defense of his ministry. Paul's main purposes have little to do with defending his ministry. The most common themes are: 1) reconciliation--between us and God, between fellow believers within the church, and between Paul and the Corinthians; 2) exhortation to ministry--Paul has been steadfast and uses his example to spur the Corinthians to look beyond their petty squabbles and reach out to the world, no matter how difficult it will be, because we have God and the rest of the world needs to be in relationship with Him. Be bold, be brave, get out of the pew!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

God's Timing

A lot of Promise verses are misapplied, i.e. pulled out of context. Two of the many that are quoted:

  • "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD, "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29.13) Almost everyone doesn't realize that God spoke these words while the Israelites were in exile. He told them to hunker down, settle in and make the best of the bad situation. After 70 years, "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes." (Jeremiah 29.14, the very next verse) So if you look at this, God's plans "for you" will take 70 years to happen, but still giving you a future and a hope. The plans "for good" aren't going to happen right away; yet, that's how people quote it--as if the promise is going to happen right away.
  • But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today...The LORD Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." (Exodus 14.13-14). The Israelites were camped on the shore of the sea hearing the thundering of chariots descend towards their location. The LORD does fight for the Israelites but His next words contradict Moses' "stand still". 'Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea..."' (Exodus 14.15-16). The LORD will perform a miracle but you may have to take some action, not just be a bystander expecting to be air-lifted over the sea to the other side. However, this rescue was immediate.
Another I read at a time of sleepless nights, being anxious (sinful in a way of not trusting the LORD), was the end of Nehemiah chapter 1. Distressed over the condition of Jerusalem at the end of the exile (see the first bullet above), Nehemiah prays to receive the king's favor "today" (Nehemiah 1.11). And then the next verse says "Early the following spring" which was 4-6 months after Nehemiah's prayer. It didn't happen right away. In the overarching story of Nehemiah, he does receive the favor of the king but it wasn't "today". And when the king noticed Nehemiah, Nehemiah was terrified. It wasn't the kind of immediate "favor" he was expecting.

So don't let anyone tell you God answers prayers immediately. There may be a delay albeit days, months, decades. But He does answer prayer.
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