https://esv.literalword.com/?q=isa+38%3B+2+CORINTHIANS+13
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 13 June 2023:
Isaiah 38:1 — Set your house in order, for you shall die.
God’s plan for you includes a time to die, but that is not the end of His plan for you. Contrary to what the world, the flesh, and the devil tell us, physical death is not the worst thing that can happen; in fact, the Bible says that for a Christian, to die is gain. Part of our testimony to the world will be how we approach the reality of death as was the testimony of so many in the Bible:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17, 18).
Job — “Though he slay me, I will hope in him….” (Job 13:15).
David — “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers….” (Acts 13:36).
Jesus — “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Many live in denial with little regard for the reality of their inevitable death. Christians should live as this is their last day to serve God on earth and prepare for eternity with Him in Heaven, making the most of every opportunity to love God and others. Fear of death can cause us to sin greatly by undermining what would bring God the greatest glory and which would ultimately be best for us and others. The worst thing that can happen isn’t that we die but rather that we dishonor God in disobedience and doubt of His perfect love, faithfulness, and grace — “Death before dishonor!” It was time for Hezekiah to die, but his flesh got the best of him, and he begged for more time. God gave him 15 more years which Hezekiah used to dishonor God, to give birth to one of the Bible’s most terrible kings, and to set the conditions for his nation’s demise. Your loving God knows when it is the perfect time for you to die and to join Him in Heaven.
- Philippians 1:21 — For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
- Psalm 63:3 — Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Isaiah 38:5 – Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
As stated above, these were the worst 15 years of Hezekiah’s life – he betrayed his country, and fathered one of the nation’s most evil kings. These added years of life were worse than the death God had originally planned for Him. Foundational to our faith is understanding that God works all things, including death, together for good in ways we can’t understand. When we are experiencing God’s blessing, it is easy to believe that God knows what is best. But when God allows sickness and sorrow in our lives, we may be tempted to question His wisdom.
The Lord told King Hezekiah that his life was coming to an end. God advised him to prepare himself for death and to plan to turn over the kingdom. Instead, Hezekiah pled for his life, begging God to spare him from death (Isa. 38:3). God loved the righteous Hezekiah and, in His grace, granted him an additional fifteen years to live, not simply to give Hezekiah what He wanted but rather to reveal truth to Hezekiah and to others through Hezekiah. Those fifteen years would prove that God’s wisdom far exceeds human wisdom. During those added years, Manasseh was born, and he eventually succeeded Hezekiah as king of Judah. Manasseh, who reigned for fifty-five years, was the evilest king ever to rule over Judah (2 Kings 21:1). Manasseh encouraged the worship of idolatry throughout the nation. He passed his own son through fire according to the abominable practices of idolatry. He shed much innocent blood during his reign; every part of the nation suffered from his cruelty. Manasseh’s wickedness provoked God to anger, but Manasseh ignored God’s warning (2 Kings 21:16; 2 Chron. 33:10). All these hardships were caused by Manasseh, a king who would never have been born if Hezekiah had accepted God’s will for his life! Furthermore, Hezekiah’s extended reign led to Judah’s eventual defeat by the Babylonians (2 Kings 20:12-20). So much suffering resulted from Hezekiah’s unwillingness to accept God’s will for him. God knows what is best. Whether your circumstances are easy or difficult, you can completely trust His guidance.
2 Corinthians 13:1 — Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
You should apply this Biblical principle in your interactions with others.
2 Corinthians 13:2 — Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
Don’t believe hearsay. More and more in our society, we are guilty until proven innocent. Accusations are accepted as truth. God calls us to a much higher standard.
2 Corinthians 13:4 — For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
Don’t confuse humility and sacrifice with weakness. The power of God flows through the humble. The most powerful person in any room is the true servant of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 13:5 — Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
The Bible calls you to be self-aware, always comparing yourself to the standard of Jesus. Faith is revealed in obedience to Jesus. If you are disobedient to Jesus, be honest about it. Where you are not living in selflessness, where you are not taking up your cross in relationships, where you are not truly following the example of Jesus, repent. Your test is certainly not what others around you are doing. Your test is the example Jesus gave you through His life. If your excuse for disobedience is, “Well, I am not Jesus, and I live by grace,” you are really missing the point.
Are you still doing things you wouldn’t do if Jesus were in the room next to you, oblivious to the fact that, if you are truly a Christian, He is within you? Are you thinking things as if Jesus doesn’t know your thoughts?
2 Corinthians 13:7 — But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.
Note that Paul’s prayer is that those around him would not do wrong. Also, note that Paul’s motive in rebuking others is not to condemn them but rather to draw them closer to Jesus through obedience. His goal is reconciliation. That should be your motive and goal.
2 Corinthians 13:9-11 – Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
As Christians, we are called to hold each other accountable, but accountability must be done for the right reasons, at the right time, in the right way, and with the right heart. The goal of accountability is reconciliation and restoration, to build up, not tear down. Sometimes rebukes are required, but rebukes must be done in the spirit, not in the flesh. The message to the one being rebuked must be God’s message, not yours.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 — All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Today, Paul says that we should first “examine” ourselves and our integrity in Christ before we step out as His messenger of reconciliation with a rebuke. (2 Corinthians 13:5, 6) Next, Paul points out that rebukes are preceded by genuine prayer for the other person, truly desiring their faithfulness and unity in Christ. (2 Corinthians 13:7)
“…not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.” (2 Corinthians 13:7) Then, Paul points out that rebukes shouldn’t be delivered in a proud, self-righteous or boastful way, nor should the one receiving the rebuke assume the messenger is being self-righteous or hypocritical. Rather, the rebuke should be given and received constructively with a spirit of trust and mutual support.
When being rebuked by a fellow Christian, receive the rebuke openly, and “test the spirits.” (1 John 4:1) Don’t go on the defensive and start pointing out the other person’s flaws – “we may have seemed to have failed.” (2 Corinthians 13:7) Assume their goal is to help you grow in Christ, and if the shoe fits…. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, but God calls us to challenge one another, from our imperfect positions, and improve one another as iron sharpens iron. We should rejoice, not resent, when another Christian has gained enough strength to challenge our weakness – “For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong.” (2 Corinthians 13:9) Hopefully, when they are weak, you will have the strength to encourage them in Christ. Speak the truth in love, and have a correctable, teachable spirit — “Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11)
“…I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.” (2 Corinthians 13:10) Again, as ambassadors for Christ, we have been given the authority to rebuke, but for the sake of reconciliation (2 Corinthian 5:18-20), for building up, not tearing down. Before you offer “constructive” criticism, examine yourself, and check your true motives and intent. Make sure you are truly serving as Christ’s ambassador and not representing your own interests or opinions. And consider the impact of your words – will they be constructive or destructive? Don’t use the Bible to beat others down. The right words delivered at the wrong time or in the wrong way can be hurtful – “Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.” (Proverbs 26:9)
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 13 June 2023: Listen, listen, listen, and show true love by speaking the truth in love. TLS – Teach, Learn, Smile.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 