2 Cor. 6:3-13; Psalm 40:4-8

2 Cor. 6:3-13
I just went back to the beginning of this book to refresh my memory on who "we" refers to--it's Paul and Timothy. See 2 Cor. 1:1 In this section, Paul tells the Corinthian believers about all the hardships they have endured for the ministry. We who are believers are all "ministers" in that the unbelieving world as well as immature believers are watching how we respond to troubles. Our challenges are different from Paul's, but we can learn lessons from him as to how to respond to our own.

• We should try to live in such a way that our behavior never discourages others. v. 3
• We should have patience in troubles, hardships, and calamities. v. 4 (No one said it would be easy!)
• In the face of the most difficult circumstances (for Paul and Timothy it was beatings, prison, angry mobs, working to exhaustion, sleepless nights, and hunger!), we should respond with understanding, patience, and kindness.  This response would be impossible except for the Holy Spirit working in us. vv 5-6  
• We must faithfully serve God no matter how others respond. vv. 8-10

Paul ends this section by appealing to his Corinthians friends in much the same way a parent might appeal to a child. "There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld  your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if  you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!"

Psalm 40:4-8
Yesterday we saw the benefits of waiting patiently for the Lord. Today we'll take a look at the joys of those who trust the Lord. "Trust the Lord" are simple words to say, but I have to say that it's a command that is often difficult to perform. One of the ways to increase our trust in Him is to review what He has already performed in our lives. "O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them." v. 5 What a great thought for this Thanksgiving week. Even though we could never name everything God has done, we should still remember all the blessings we can and be thankful to Him! This will strengthen our faith.

vv. 6-8 reminds us that God wants our obedience, not our sacrifices. Our works and our money are meaningless to God if our hearts are not dedicated to Him. We should follow David's example, "I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart."