In the Word: He Has Delivered; He Will Deliver Again

Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be meditating on 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. As we study the truths found in these verses together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God’s Word each week with us!

READ:

I felt like I was trapped in a terrible rerun, staring at the ultrasound monitor at the still form of my precious daughter. How could this be happening again? How could I possibly bear the loss of another child? In that moment, I was convinced that I would never know anything but an endless ache of pain. Can you relate? Has your suffering left you battling hopelessness and despair?

The apostle Paul was no stranger to the enormous sufferings of this world. In 2 Corinthians 1 he writes of a time when he experienced such great difficulty that he began to despair of life itself. But we see from the verses that follow this account that in the midst of what seemed like utter hopelessness, Paul turned his gaze onto the Lord. He called to mind the deliverance he had already received at His hand. He reminded his heart that Christ was worthy to be trusted. Therefore, even in the darkness, he could hope.

I needed this reminder often in the days immediately following back to back pregnancies ending in loss. I needed to look up and see the Lord’s hand in my life and remember all the ways He had cared for me, provided for me, and protected me in the past. Despair gave way to hope as I reflected on the deliverance of the Lord and turned to Him in trust.

When your circumstances threaten to overwhelm and upend you, remember the Lord’s faithfulness. He demonstrated His great care for you when gave His life on the cross to deliver you from the curse of sin. Set your hope upon Him. Hold firmly to His Word. He can be depended on. He has promised never to leave or forsake you.

Dear one, the Lord has delivered you. He will deliver again.

 REFLECT:

1. Read Lamentations 3:21-24. What do these verses teach us about depending on the Lord in the mist of suffering?
2. Make a list of the ways you have experienced the deliverance of the Lord throughout your life. When your current suffering tempts you to despair, call these things to mind and anchor your hope in the Lord.