Romans 8:38 – “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,”
We know from the various letters written by the Apostle Paul that he endured many hardships few of us believers would not – and will not have to endure. When he boasted, he boasted about his sufferings for the sake of Christ and of the things that showed his weakness.
He was many times imprisoned; was severely flogged; exposed to death again and again; was lashed forty times minus one; was three times beaten with rods; was stoned; was shipwrecked three times; spent a night and a day in the open sea; moved constantly; was in danger from rivers, bandits, his own countryman; went without sleep, food and water; went without clothes. All these are recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:21-27.
He survived a bite by a poisonous snake while preaching about Jesus; pretended to be a fool to preach to fools, to Greeks, to Israelites, to Romans. He was extremely educated, well read, spoke many languages, was an impressive and remarkable man.
What example of endurance and humility for us all. And if we had to choose from all the hardships Paul had to endure, which one would we pick?
We live in a world of extreme comfort compared to Paul.
We have at our fingertips technology that can be used for the spread of the Gospel.
May the Lord give us more boldness, pour over us more of His love, His power, so that we begin to testify daily to others about Christ. Will you do that for Him?
