QT 5/8/2025 2 Cor 1:15–24, When to get involved

2 Corinthians 1:15–24 (ESV) —

15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

 

NOTE: We don't have all the details, but there were men who stubbornly refuse to listen to Paul or accept his apostolic authority on certain issues. Paul chooses to stay back and trust God to work in the hearts of the Corinthians. Sometimes, we want to jump in and fix things, as if it requires our personal attention to be resolved, whereas God is perfectly able to work within his people to bring good out of bad situations. Paul decides that stepping back was better. Apparently, he sends a second letter by way of Titus (lost and not copied by the churches) that had a positive effect. When he does meet Titus on return from Corinth, he is quite excited about Titus' report of the work God accomplished.

 

I think I still struggle when to involve myself and when to step back. I want to see God work and I know he can do far more than me, but I wonder if he is wanting me to do something first. Scripture does teach we are to be prudent. It is a difficult problem, but this I do know:

 

1. We are not to worry which only proves that I do not trust God.
2. We are to pray and ask God to give us wisdom.
3. It is okay to ask godly men for counsel.
4. Lastly, we are to trust the Lord and let go.

 

PONDER:

1. Is there an issue in my life that is causing me great worry?
2. Can I trust God to bring about good, as he promises to those who love him?

 

PRAYER: Father, my concerns seem so minor compared to the issues that others are facing right now. I do trust you and I do hand over these worries and concerns to you. Life seems pretty hectic these days, but I need to be faithful in the things that you have given me to do. Please, give me wisdom.