2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Psalm 42

2 Corinthians 8:1-15
In this passage, Paul teaches the church about giving--a subject that makes some people uncomfortable. However, it shouldn't make us uncomfortable if we remember that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. v. 9 "You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich."

Paul uses the example of the churches in Macedonia who gave sacrificially (even beyond their means) though they were very poor. They shared with the impoverished believers of Jerusalem.

We are not required to give (v. 8), but we are encouraged to do so as an expression of our love and dedication to the Lord. We are called on to give in proportion to what we have, and we are supposed to do it cheerfully and eagerly thanking God that we are able to give. In this way, the poor can give as much as the rich because God considers the attitude of the giver not the amount given. After all, He doesn't need our money--He already owns everything!

Psalm 42
Psalms 42-49 were written by descendants of Korah, who were Temple musicians and assistants.

Here is the song we sing taken from this passage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn2_yZt0exU
It's beautifully written, and it's one of my favorites reminding me of a young woman, Marcia, who always requested this when we occasionally asked for requests on Sunday nights. She is with the Lord now after being killed in a traffic accident.

Anyway, let's think about these first 2 verses. "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God..." Air and water are probably the most essential elements necessary for life. Think how desperate you are for air when you're holding your breath under water. I'm sure the desire for water would be the same if we were denied it long enough. This is how desperate we should be for fellowship with God. I'm afraid we would all have to admit that we fall far short of this longing for the Lord.

The psalmist, in v. 4 remembers the sweet fellowship and joy he once had with God's people, "singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!"

vv. 5-11 are wonderful ones to remember when we're discouraged. Though the psalmist is discouraged and sad, he is reminded to put his hope in God (vv. 5, 11). He knows that he will again praise Him; he will never forget what God has done. "...each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life." Every problem seems worse at night, or so it seems to me. Instead of rehearsing all the possible calamities that may come, we should follow this psalmist's example and remember God's goodness and unfailing love, praising Him and praying to Him. Even though his enemies taunt him, he again says, "I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!"