For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us: ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 2 Cor 1:8-11
The Lord is renewing my understanding that there us no such thing as a “bad” day, only “good” and “very good” (or “better”) days. Genesis 1 speaks of how all that God made day by day was only “good” and Genesis 1:31 states “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” As we go through this life with its “evenings and mornings”, as we stay still and know He is God (Psalms 46:10), as we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God allowing Him to care for us (1 Peter 5:6-10). He is making us into the person He desires for us to be. He is molding our hearts. Shaping our affections and desires to bring glory to His name. Conforming us, not to look like the world, but to look like His dear Son, that we to might be sons and daughters of God. (Psalms 37:4-5, Psalms 33:15, Romans 8:29, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 5:24, 2 Timothy 2:19).
So circumstances that would equate to most as a “bad” day, I will now choose to see as part of an “evening and morning” where I may “sow in tears” and “mourn” to draw closer to my God. I will receive it as an opportunity to trust God’s goodness knowing He will not change in His character. Thus I will believe it to be a “good” day leading to a “very good” day, when I “reap in joy” and am “comforted”. So I will wait for the Lord to lift me up and use my life to His glory. For “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 27:13-14, Psalms 30:5, Psalms 106:1, 107:1, Psalms 126:5, Malachi 3:6, Matthew 5:4, James 4:6-10, Hebrews 13:8)
Like the opening verse states, Paul and his fellows “despaired of life” and “had the sentence of death in themselves”. There circumstances were pretty grim. But it was to the glory of God and for their good for they learned to not lean on themselves but to put their trust solely in the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5-7). We again see the unchangeable nature of God for He “raiseth the dead”. The old King James is clear with that “eth” on the end of “raiseth” showing a continual on going action. God is the God of the living not the dead so He must raise the dead to life again (Luke 20:38, Ephesians 2:1-10). Also He delivers in the past (“delivered”), the present (“doth deliver”), and future (“will yet deliver”). A simple word study shows that “delivered” is past tense, “doth deliver” is old english for our modern “does deliver” for present actions, and “will yet deliver” combines “will” and “yet” indicating a future time of intentional, inevitability which can be anticipated or bound to happen at a later time. It is all a trial of faith whether by temptation or tribulation to perfect our faith and love in our Almighty God. So as the good book says “count it all joy” even if tears are falling because one can KNOW that God is making a “very good” day so wait on the Lord. Take heart believer and keep on believing in the faithful and unfailing Lord Jesus Christ, the Almighty. (James 1:1-4, Romans 5:1-5, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalms 27:13-14, Psalms 37:7, John 11:25-26)