2 Corinthians 13:9–10: “For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.”

June 9th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Paul rejoiced when he got to be weak (meek), meaning he didn’t have to discipline these believers in the church at Corinth. Paul was concerned that both he and the Corinthians would be embarrassed because of their refusal to forsake their sins. He was planning to go again to Corinth and he didn’t want to find them in the same sorry condition he had found them in the last time he was there. So he sent them a warning letter so they could get it together before he came. God is so patient with humanity, giving us many warnings. The problem is we often either miss the warning, or worse, defiantly chose to ignore it altogether.

There is a story from Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s life that serves to remind us to pay special attention to any forewarnings that come to us. Bonaparte was preparing to invade Russia when one of his counselors, who was also a believer, came to him and tried to talk him out of it. Bonaparte refused to alter his campaign and the advisor quoted a proverb to him: “Man proposes but God disposes.” Pridefully, Bonaparte replied, ” I dispose as well as propose.” The believer saw this as a sign of the end of Bonaparte and said to a friend, “I set this down as the turning-point of Bonaparte’s fortunes. God will not allow him to usurp His prerogative.” It happened just as the believer predicted. Bonaparte’s invasion of Russia was the beginning of his fall from power.

“LORD, we chose to humble ourselves before You, confess our sins, and receive Your forgiveness. Please walk with us, keeping us on Your path for us this day.”