Peter Misselbrook's Blog
May 12 2020 - 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4 – God’s great “Yes!”

Paul had been accused by some at Corinth of wavering in his concern for them. He had told them of his plans to visit them but he had failed to come. “You can’t trust Paul”, some were saying, “his words are worthless.”

Paul explains that his change of plans was for their sake. He had wished to avoid what would have been a painful visit in which he would have had to confront face-to-face those who were causing problems in the church. Instead he had sent a letter to them in the hope that it would spur them to put things right before he came, so that his subsequent visit might be a joy to both him and them. His letter, written in tears, was an expression of the depth of his love rather than evidence of lack of faithfulness (see 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4).

Paul reminds the Christians in Corinth that God is faithful and unchangeable in his purposes towards us. He is not two-faced; he does not say both “Yes” and “No”. Jesus is God’s great “Yes!”

All of the promises which God has made in his Word find their affirmation and confirmation in him. They all find their fulfilment in him; he is the Son who is heir of all things. All that is promised is freely given to us in him, for God has chosen to make us co-heirs with him – to be his promised bride. What belongs to him by right is ours in him by grace. So, says Paul, there is no double-mindedness with God; no uncertainty as to whether he will or will not bless us; no “yes” one minute and “no” the next. Jesus is God’s great “Yes!” And to assure us of these things, God has given us his Spirit, the Spirit of his Son, by whom we are “sealed” – marked as his own possession. The Spirit is the guarantee, the engagement ring on the promised bride, ensuring that God will do for us, and give to us, all he has promised us in Christ.

These are wonderful words, full of comfort and assurance. They remind us that God will complete the work of salvation that he has begun in us.

The work that his goodness began,
the arm of his strength will complete.
His promise is Yea and Amen,
and never was forfeited yet.
Things future nor things that are now,
nor all things below or above,
can make him his purpose forgo
or sever my soul from his love.

Paul has sought to be the servant of this faithful God. He has not been double minded in his dealings with the Corinthians but has always had the single aim of seeking their wellbeing. He is not “yes” one minute and “no” the next for he serves a Saviour who is not both “yes” and “no” but is God’s great “Yes!”

Paul’s words challenge us. If we delight in the faithfulness of God towards us in Christ then we are to reflect that faithfulness in our dealings with others. We are to have a single and unvarying aim of ministering to others in such a way that they also may rejoice in the unchanging blessings of God in Christ.

Living God, we thank you for your great and precious promises. We thank you that your word and promises, can be trusted for they are signed in the shed blood of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you that you have given us your Spirit to assure us that Christ is ours and that all things are ours in him. By that same Spirit, help us to be like Jesus. Help us to give ourselves tirelessly to the work of your kingdom. Make us also your “yes” men and “yes” women.

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May 12 2019 - Psalm 61:1-62:8 – I call as my heart grows faint

In Psalm 61 David cries out for God to help him. We are not given any information about the context of this psalm, but in the schedule of our readings it comes during David's flight from Jerusalem before the rebellion of his own son, Absalom. This may not have been when this psalm was written, but it fits nicely into this context.

David recognises that God has been very good over the years. God had protected him against his enemies and had been his refuge. David longs to dwell again in God's presence, in God's "tent", and to take shelter under his wings – these could be poetic expressions of his longing to be back in Jerusalem. David longs to be restored to God's favour.

But right now, David feels that he is far from God; he calls out in prayer to him "from the ends of the earth" as his "heart grows faint". He is aware of his own weakness and vulnerability and longs to know that he is surrounded by God's strength and protective might. He prays that he would be restored to his throne – that he might be able to reign over God's people for many years to come. If only God would hear and answer him then he "will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfil my vows day after day."

Psalm 62 does not tell us that all David's prayers have been answered but it does express a transition from desperate cries for help to peaceful trust. David has found that he can rest secure in God's care for him. There are still those who are intent on toppling him from his high position, his place of power, and David is content to acknowledge that he has no strength to prevent it; he is a "leaning wall" and "tottering fence" – these might have been scornful descriptions uttered by his enemies, but David is quite ready to adopt them. He knows that his security and hope lie not in himself but in God. David has found rest in God who is his mighty rock, his refuge and his salvation and this gives him the confidence that, "I shall never be shaken" (62:2).

David turns his experience of trusting God in difficult circumstances into testimony to others, urging them also to seek God's face in prayer and discover that God is their refuge also (62:8).

Have you ever faced situations that threaten to overwhelm you? Maybe it is the loss of someone you loved and to whom you had looked for strength and support. Maybe it has been the loss of a job you enjoyed, which provided you with income, friendship and status. Maybe it has been the shattering of your hopes for something you believed that God was going to give you or do for you. Maybe you cried out to God in prayer looking for a resolution to the problems you were facing but nothing seemed to change. Have you ever discovered at such a time that God himself was your strength and refuge, your rock and your salvation? Have you ever found that, though outward circumstances may not immediately change, you have been enabled to rest in God knowing that he will never fail you?

We can trust God, even when everything else seems to be taken away from us, even when our prayers for help seem to go unanswered. He gave his Son for our salvation; he loves us and will never abandon us. We can rest in his care.

Father God, we thank you that we can trust you in all things. Help us to know that our safety and security lie neither in our outward circumstances, which can so easily change, nor in ourselves for we are all too aware of our own weakness, but in you and your unfailing goodness and great love for us. By the power of your Holy Spirit, strengthen our faith, help us to fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus and fill us with joy and peace in believing. Help us to encourage others through our testimony to your goodness and unfailing grace. 

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Peter Misselbrook