Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #56

A Life of Perpetual Triumph

2:14  "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ."

The "but" that begins this verse is in happy contrast to the "no rest" in v.13. While in Troas Paul was worried about the Corinthians, but when he found Titus and heard the report of their positive reaction to his severe letter, he gave thanks to God (Cf. 7:6-9).

After a very understandable "thanks be to God," though, Paul says something totally unexpected and startling: "who always leads us in triumph in Christ."

This is in such stark contrast to so much of what he says in this letter! He talks about his excessive burdens and afflictions just experienced in Asia in 1:8-9. He refers to the affliction and anguish and many tears involved in writing them the severe letter in 2:4. He says he is perplexed, persecuted, struck down, afflicted in every way, and constantly delivered over to death in 4:8-11. And 11:23-29 is a catalogue of sufferings unparalleled in the Bible. And yet he says, "God always leads us in triumph in Christ."

The point is this: Paul understood what it meant to be triumphant in affliction. He knew first hand how God can hold up in triumph those who are pressed down in this world. He was a living example of what Jesus said in John 16:33:

"In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

He lived in the victory of Christ, even in the midst of tribulation. He knew that God prepared a table for him even in the presence of his enemies (Psalm 23:5). After mentioning "tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword," Paul says, "in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."(Rom.8:35-37)

We do not need our problems removed in order to know the peace of Christ. We do not need to escape from our troubles in order to walk in His victory. We need not be released from the chains of our responsibilities in order to know His abundant freedom. Like Paul, we can sing hymns in prison once we come to grips with the greatness of what Christ has done for us.

I give praise to You, O God, that Your Son has overcome the world. Please help me to walk in His triumph, even while in the midst of hardships. Help me to remember always that Christ has set me free from the evil of affliction, so that even my troubles are for me and not against me. For if You are for me, O God, who can be against me?