The Power of His Presence

Daily Devotions

From the Writings of Ray Stedman

When You Are Misunderstood

September 3rd

But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you... was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:18-20).

Paul answers the charge of some who were actually saying that he lived just like a worldling, a non-Christian, that he did whatever was convenient, and he did not bother to try to keep his word in any way. It is always interesting to me how these letters find such a remarkable correspondence to what goes on in our lives today. One problem among Christians, and often younger Christians, is that they have not yet seen that faithfulness to their commitments ought to be a characteristic of them. It is amazing to me, and sometimes discouraging, to see how many Christians, even older Christians, will say they are going to do something or be someplace and then show no sense of responsibility for fulfilling the promise and the commitment they made.

That is contrary to the nature of a Christian, because it is contrary to the nature of God. God is not like that; "He is faithful," Paul says. When God says yes, then it is an eternal yes. He will never take it back. When God says no, He means no. He never says yes when He means no. Paul is saying that God's promises are always positive promises. Have you noticed that in the Scriptures? Whenever you come to God in the name of Jesus and ask for what He has promised, the answer is always yes. That is ultimately what He is saying: "Yes." God's promises are for blessing, not for cursing.

Why did Paul change his plan? Why did he say two times he was going to come directly to Corinth but instead did not come directly? Rather, he went by way of Macedonia, and he came only once. Paul says his plans changed because the Spirit of God opened his eyes to see circumstances that made him change his mind. He could see that the great promises of blessing that God had for this church at Corinth would only be fulfilled if he did not come directly to Corinth but instead went to Macedonia and waited for Titus there. So, convinced of the Spirit and in obedience to what he saw of the Spirit's teaching in this regard, with a clear conscience, Paul changed his original plan and went to Macedonia instead of Corinth.

Father, I thank You that You have awakened in my heart a desire to say a responding, resounding amen to what You have promised. Grant to me now freedom and an obedient heart to claim these for myself.

This daily devotion was inspired by one of Ray's sermons. Please read "When You Are Misunderstood" (or listen to the audio file  ) for more on this portion of scripture.