Rejoicing in Infirmities

When the Apostle Paul prayed three times for God to remove the thorn in his flesh, the answer which God gave him was satisfactory to him. “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Cor. 12:7-9)The Lord has a purpose for these earthly trials and will fulfill that purpose for His glory and our good!

One thing I know; the Lord Himself is more glorified, and His grace and strength more manifest and more appreciated, in our weaknesses. When I have nothing to say, nothing to contribute, and nothing in which to find comfort and joy, I will look to the Lord Jesus and find in Him all that I need.

If infirmities and trials serve to make me look more fully to Christ, have less confidence in the flesh, and wait upon Him, then I will rejoice in infirmities. Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1989)

CONSIDER WHAT GOD HAS SAID
“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2Tim. 2:7).

No man has in himself an understanding in spiritual things (1Cor. 2:14). If we would have any understanding in the mysteries of the gospel it must be revealed (Matt. 11:25). However, let us never forget that God has been pleased to reveal Himself to us through the Word written (Heb. 1:1-3), and the Word preached (2Cor.4:6; 1Cor.1:21).

Therefore, let us carefully consider, meditate, examine, weigh and receive the Word of God and the Lord will give us understanding in all things (1Thes. 2:13). The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2Tim. 3:15). It certainly would be true, that the person who refuses to consider, meditate, believe and receive the Word of God shall never have any understanding in the mysteries of the gospel of Christ, nor true repentance toward God, nor genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21; Rom. 10:17; Jas.1:17).

CHRIST IS OUR SABBATH REST

“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the believer’s Sabbath rest. We are not told to observe a day with special regulations to keep us or make us righteous before God. We are told by the Lord Himself to, “Come unto me and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). The apostle Paul warned the believers in the church at Galatia about observing days, “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain” (Gal. 4:10-11). We look not unto a day for rest but rather unto the Lord of everyday, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). So then, we find engaging rest, enormous refreshing and all of salvation in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, “This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest (Isa. 28:12). He is the Lord of our Sabbath rest. Let us by almighty grace cease from our works and enter into that rest (Heb. 4:9-10).

GODLY SORROW AND WORLDLY SORROW

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2Cor. 7:10).

There is a vast difference and stark contrast between true godly sorrow, and a mere worldly sorrow. The source from which they spring, being opposite as light and darkness, so also is their effect and consequences of them.

Godly sorrow and true repentance comes from the grace of God and is the sovereign gift of the risen Lord (Acts 5:31; 11:18).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1: 17).

“A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven” (John 3:27);

This godly sorrow comes from God, leads to God and salvation in Christ (1 John 5:12-13).

“The sorrow of the world worketh death.” The worldly sorrow, is altogether of the fallen flesh, it can rise no higher than its source, sinful flesh. The worldly sorrow comes from the carnal, worldly, fleshly and totally depraved mind. This worldly sorrow only leads to the end of all unbelief, which is eternal condemnation and eternal death (John 3:36). When sin is finished it brings death (James 1: 15).