Troubled? 3/28-29

28-29 March 2016 - Troubled Yet Not Distressed – Devotion by Dorothy Callies

2 Corinthians 4:8a, NCV “We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated.” KJV: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed (not worry or upset).”

From “The Bible from 26 Translations” on the base of 2 Corinthians 4:8a, I became interested to check out a few translations. I find that inspiration with words have helped me mediate during the devotion time.

Con—I am hard pressed, yet not crushed (destroyed).
Bas—Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in.
Knox—For ourselves, we are being hampered (interfere with movement) everywhere, yet still have room to breathe.
Ber—We are hedged in (block with or as if with a barrier) from every side, but we live no cramped (confine) lives.

Paul wrote a letter to Corinth Christians and he encouraged them and us that any troubles around us are to be expected. But the point is do not dwell or live on troubled thought. If we experience the presence of Christ and His power in our lives, absolutely no trouble, affliction, sickness, or tragedy will cause your spiritual defeat.

When things around us become too hard to bear and when all our resources are exhausted, God’s resources are given to us to enlarge and expand our faith, hope, and strength. God will not forsake His faithful children. He is always there to help us in time of need. Let us dwell on that thought, ‘we have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated’ because we have the Holy Spirit who is making us strong in the Lord!

Let us sing the song of victory to lift our spirits in the presence of the Lord!  

Song: Victory in Jesus

  By Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sing His Praise

O victory in Jesus, My Savior forever;

He sought me and bought me

With His redeeming blood;

He love me ere (before) I knew Him,

And all my love is due Him;

He plunged (brought) me to victory,

Beneath the cleansing flood.

Song: Victory Ahead

    By William Grum, Sing His Praise

Victory ahead!  Victory ahead!

Through the blood of Jesus, victory ahead;

Trusting in the Lord,

I hear the conqueror’s tread,

By faith I see the victory ahead!