Sunday Scripture

I mentioned last week that for the month of November, I've decided to take a break from Fix Your Focus to set our minds on Thanksgiving.  Again today, I'm sharing some simple insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references or even the pdf of the study.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 7 of the study.  We were to read 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, and the verse to SOAP was 2 Corinthians 4:15.  ( Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or praise for what it means to you.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

So without further ado, here is my very simple study of 2 Corinthians 4:15:

S=  "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."  (2 Corinthians 4:15)

O= Paul wrote this second letter to the believers at Corinth to address some questions about his sincerity and authority.  In this letter he is placing before the church the overwhelming evidence of his sincerity in serving the Lord.

Here in chapter 4, verse 15 Paul seems to be saying that the suffering he has endured is for the sake of the Cornithians, so that they could see God giving abundant grace in difficulty.  Their thanksgiving for this would redound to the glory of God.  

MacDonald says, "With the certain and sure hope of resurrection before him, the apostle was willing to undergo terrible hardships. He knew that all such sufferings had a twofold result. They abounded in blessing for the Corinthians, and thus caused thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. These two motives actuated Paul in all he said and did. He was concerned with the glory of God and the blessing of his fellow men."

Warren Wiersbe explains that the phrase all things are for your sakes…"gives us the assurance that our sufferings are not wasted: God uses them to minister to others and also to bring glory to His name. How is God glorified in our trials? By giving us the 'abundant grace' we need to maintain joy and strength when the going gets difficult. Whatever begins with grace, leads to glory."  

The Phillips translation reads: 

"The more grace God gives,
The more thanksgiving will redound to His glory.
This is the reason why we never collapse."

The ESV reads, "For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

A= Trials that come into our lives are allowed by God for a good purpose.  He gives us the grace that we need to deal with the trials and get through them.  As others see and observe this, they -- and we -- offer thanks and praise to God and this redounds to His glory.  

Paul had faith that God would be glorified in all that was taking place, and I can have that same faith. Our sufferings are never wasted in God's economy.  And what an encouraging thought that is!

John MacArthur wrote, "God’s astounding plan is to use common clay pots (verse 7) to carry the priceless treasure of the glorious gospel to needy sinners. As they humbly, faithfully serve Him, His power flows through them to others. The final result is that more and more people will worship and glorify God."

I need to be more thankful for the grace and strength God gives in trials and for the opportunity He provides through them for Christ's name to be lifted up and glorified.

There were some "Digging Deeper" questions for this verse:

Looking at 2 Corinthians 4:15,  what is the connection between grace and thanksgiving?  How do grace and thanksgiving result in giving glory to God?

My answers:

This particular section of 2 Corinthians is dealing with trials and suffering.  We know that God gives us grace to deal with and endure adversity -- His grace is sufficient for us!  To me, the connection looks like this: I have difficulties, God gives me grace to endure them, and I give thanks to Him.  Not only that, but others see the grace that God is giving and they also give thanks to Him.  This brings the opportunity for God's name to be lifted up and glorified.  Psalm 50:23 comes to mind: "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me."

P= "Lord, I am so thankful that You have a good purpose in our trials.  Sometimes I just feel stuck, as if my trials are never going to end, but I must never forget that You are in them with me and that the trials will not last a moment longer than necessary.

I am so prone to forgetting that Your strength is made perfect in my weakness.  I pray that You will bring this back to my mind when I am weary.  

I praise You that Your grace is sufficient for me in every difficulty I face!  I pray that You will help me to consistently praise You in all circumstances and to bring glory to You as others observe Your working in my life through trials.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And that's the Sunday Scripture for this week!