I have long been interested in the list you’re about to read. A catalogue of a godly Christian’s “sufferings!” And the Holy Spirit led Paul to record these events about mid-way through the great Apostle’s Ministry! No where near the end of his years of service … so we must conclude that much more difficulty followed this litany, this compilation!

Wow!

Now to our Text for the next few days. “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.” Word for word, 2nd Corinthians 11:24-31.

Like the hymn-writer, “I stand amazed.”

It’s in my heart, beginning with our next Lesson, to study these events (best we can with the data available) and draw conclusions from them, information to both teach us more about this man Paul … and to help us better live for Jesus (during the hard times too) our Lord and Saviour.

Shortly after Paul was saved God asked a man named Ananias to go see the future Apostle. The Lord had already informed a rather fearful (reluctant) Ananias that Paul was to be a “special vessel,” an unusual servant of God. Quoting God now, Paul is “to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” What a witness! Then is immediately added: “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Paul will “suffer” for Jesus’ Sake!

And indeed he did!

But then again, Paul felt that every Christian would suffer for his or her Lord! “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2nd Timothy 3:11

Perhaps as we study our little “list” here, the Holy Spirit will teach us numerous principles about enduring these inevitable “hard times” in the Christian life.

An unusual series.

But maybe, a needed series.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I might just add this truth. Christians around the world (yes, even in 2016) are suffering for our Cause, for our Christ, at maybe unprecedented rates. If current statistics are right, around 400 Believers per day are being martyred for their faith … right here on planet earth.

No wonder the last prayer of the Bible is: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20