Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 01, 2022: SOAP #4502:  Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.  8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

OBSERVATION: Paul and his companions had struggled in extremely hard times.  They thought they were going to die.  Now they can see that God allowed this struggle to teach them that they could not rely on their own strength, but they could rely on God!   God had proved Himself more than able to deliver!!!  And so, they had faith that God would continue to deliver them!

Paul also noted that God’s delivering help came in answer to the prayers of those reading his letter.  Paul did not complain about the financial support that the Corinthians did or did not send.  Paul recognized that their greatest contribution was their prayers. 

APPLICATION: If God used the hard times to focus Paul on God as his Deliverer, then I should not be surprised if God uses hard time to put my focus on him.  God is my Deliverer!  What He has taken me through in the past builds my faith for what lies ahead.  God’s supply in answer to the prayers made on my behalf are and will be a great testimony. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are always working for my good.  You are setting me up for growth.  Today You are preparing me for what lies ahead.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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