2 Corinthians 1:17-24 Yes!!!
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: April 13, 2020 2 Corinthians 1:17-24
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
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? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 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. 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. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
(Understanding the Text) Paul has been telling the Corinthians not to look for two-faced motives with him. He says that he doesn’t do the kind of actions where a person says yes to your face while saying no inside. He is saying that he has never stopped wanting the best for them. He reminds them that he proclaimed Jesus to them, and Jesus is always favorable to them.
We learn here that there was a third person, Silvanus, who was instrumental in proclaiming the gospel to the Corinthians. (Later, I learned that Silvanus is just another name for Silas, who had been traveling with Paul on the missionary journey that brought the gospel to the Corinthians.) Paul tells the Corinthians that all three people (Silas, Paul, and Timothy) gave the same message–that Jesus totally chose the Corinthians. Paul says that since he is a messenger of Jesus, the Corinthians should know that Paul is also rooting for them. Thus, Paul’s decision to not visit them was not to hurt them. It was for their own sake. He judged that it was better for them that he not be with them. He was not choosing his own desire but working for their best interests. I’m not sure how it was in their best interests. I might find that out in chapter 2.
(Revelation of God / Application) “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ . . . was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 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. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” All the promises of God find their yes in Jesus so that we shout “Amen” when we think of God. Jesus is always for us. He is always trying to draw us to Him. He loves us. God established Paul, anointed him, put his seal on him, and placed His Spirit in Paul’s heart. Paul claims this also for two other people. Thus, I can claim it for myself. God established me. He brought me to Himself. God put His seal on me. I belong to Him. God anointed me. He sanctified me and set me apart to be different from the world. God has given me His Spirit to live in me. He will not leave me. He has chosen me, transformed me, given me a position in His family, and given me the Spirit to be more than I am.
(Prayer) Always remind me that I am Your special treasure and that all Your promises are trustworthy. Strengthen my faith in Your love and interest in me.