Wings of Prayer Devotionals

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 - "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body."

Some time ago I participated in an online support group in which it was the moderator's custom to have fun exercises to do each day. Under headings such as "Wacky Wednesday 5" or "Fabulous Friday 5" she would list 5 questions for us to answer. One week one of the questions was, "Name something that might embarrass you and surprise others if they knew." As a 50-something Christian, I replied that I liked the chorus of the pop song "Tubthumping" (aka "I get knocked down") by the group Chumbawamba which is repeated over and over and goes:

I had first heard it on my daughter's car radio. Generally, I don't care for pop music, but this chorus reminded me of the message of 2 Corinthians 4:3-10. It sometimes feels like we've been knocked down by life's circumstances -- by difficulties at work or loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, dealing with a rebellious child or a broken marriage. Those dealing with chronic pain or illness may feel knocked down by pain, discouragement, by friends and family members not understanding our limitations when we "look good," by unbelievers who ask why a loving God would allow pain and suffering, and by some fellow believers who say "If you only had more faith..." or "There must be sin in your life..." It would be easy to just lay there, spiritually bruised and battered, and give up.

But you know what? Most of us don't do that. As the song says, we "get back up again." Why? Because we know that "underneath are the everlasting arms." Because God has promised in Hebrews that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Because in Philippians Paul reminds us that we can do all things through Christ. And because God has promised that, for those who love Him, He will ultimately work everything out for good, including OUR good.

So, we get knocked down; but we get up again. Jesus says that in this world we will have tribulation, but that He has overcome the world. We may be cast down, but the Bible tells us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God, so we are not destroyed. We know that our present circumstances are only temporary, because neither this world nor this body is our permanent home.

Christ is our Savior, our strength, our sufficiency, our shelter, our sustainer, and our champion. And when we get knocked down, HE lifts us up again, and again, and again.

Father, thank you for the reminder that you are always with us, Your ears always open to our cries, Your heart attuned to every care and need, your arms always ready to catch us and lift us up when we fall. Thank You for encouraging us through unexpected people, places, and things -- even pop songs on car radios. And as You have encouraged us, help us to encourage others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Research: Using a concordance, make a list of scripture verses that you can refer to for encouragement when you feel “knocked down.”

Reflect: Write in your journal (or start a journal) times when God has lifted you up in the past, and how He has sustained you in the face of illness or trouble.

Reach out: Write a note of encouragement to someone you know who is going through a difficult time or who suffers from chronic illness, and add them to your prayer list.

# posted by Donna B. Russell @ 6:43 PM