There are truths in Scripture that make us feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we don’t think they make sense. Other times they bump up against a belief we hold that doesn’t align with Scripture itself. Riley Clemmons’ song “Godsend” sent me to 2 Corinthians, where Paul describes something that seems a little “thorny” on the surface.
Join me on the journey this week as we allow Scripture to change how we think — despite the discomfort.
In this week’s episode, I discuss:
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Read in context
- Consult an overview
- Utilize an outside resource
- Follow the cross-reference
- Look up words in the dictionary
- Read in a variety of translations
- Historical context
- Meditate on Scripture
- The elements of our feature verse reflected in the lyrics – 2 Corinthians 12:7
- How God may send painful circumstances to protect us
- How 2 Corinthians is tricky to read
- Consulting an overview
- The Bible Project Overview of 2 Corinthians – YouTube Video
- “How to Read the Bible Book by Book” by Fee and Stuart – Amazon paid link
- Reformation Study Bible Introduction to 2 Corinthians – Amazon paid link
- What those in opposition to Paul value vs. what Paul values
- Paul’s bold speech to the Corinthian believers
- Paul’s argument against the “super-apostles”
- Considering what the Christian culture of our day values and celebrates and lining it up against Scripture
- How the thorn in Paul’s flesh was a Godsend – 2 Corinthians 2:9
- How “we can’t receive God’s strength until we know our weakness. We can’t receive the sufficiency of God’s grace until we know our own insufficiency.” – David Guzik, BlueLetterBible.org
As long as we are operating in our own sufficiency we don’t truly believe God’s grace is sufficient. Our self-exalting actions scream that we don’t need God’s grace.
Enjoy the official piano version of this song below.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Lyrics – NewReleaseToday.com
- Behind the song “Godsend” by Riley Clemmons – Kevin Davis New Release Today Article
- Online commentaries for 2 Corinthians 12 – BlueLetterBible.org
- Bible introductions and overview links
- The Bible Project Overview of 2 Corinthians – YouTube Video
- “How to Read the Bible Book by Book” by Fee and Stuart – Amazon paid link
- Reformation Study Bible Introduction to 2 Corinthians – Amazon paid link
Weekly Challenge
Read 2 Corinthians this week. Utilize the overview resources at your fingertips, both online and in your study Bible or books, to get an overall grasp of the themes to explore. Meditate on Scripture to unwind yourself from any misbelief shared by the Corinthian believers that charisma, power, and personal proficiency are better than weakness. Allow the uncomfortable places in this letter to transform the way you think. Get low in your insufficiency — Christ’s power is made perfect in our weakness, and His grace is sufficient for you.
