2 Corinthians 11:26; In Perils in the City, In Perils in the Wilderness

2 Corinthians 11:26 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;

Chadwick correctly said, “Service of Christ is a warfare in which, of necessity, many wounds must be received. Well is it for us if we can regard these wounds as “trials” from a Divine source for some good purpose.” The dangers of a traveller, perils that must first be overcome before any good work can be done to reach the cities to preach the gospel. It would have been most probable to perish in the wilderness yet the Lord preserved him through all these perils.

Uninhabited countries through which he was obliged to pass in order to reach from city to city. In such places, it is easy to imagine many dangers from bandits, wild beasts, cold, starvation, etc. [Clarke]

Safe Because Jesus Holds Me

A busy mother once overheard her two young daughters talking. One asked the other,

“How do you know you are safe?”

“Because I am holding Jesus tight with both my hands,” replied the sister.

“That is not safe,” said the other, “suppose the devil came along and cut off your two hands?”

The little sister was momentarily troubled, then her face suddenly beamed with joy.

“Oh, I forgot! Jesus is holding me, and Satan couldn’t cut off His hands, so I am safe!”

This little girl had grasped the meaning of our Savior’s words, “…I give them [my sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).²

Mortals are immortal until their work is done! Until their work is done. Amen.

¹ W.E. Chadwick, Pastoral Teaching of Paul, (Grand Rapids: Krugel Publications, 1984), 197.

² Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.