The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 11:21-28, “To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am just as bold myself.

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.

26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;

27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.”

There’s an old spiritual that goes…

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen,

Nobody knows but Jesus.

Nobody knows the touble I’ve seen,

Glory, Hallelulah!

Certainly we’ve all had trouble. Some have had what they would call “more than their share.” In Corinth, there were believers who thought their troubles were far more than anyone else’s –even the Apostle Paul’s.

Paul pulled out his spiritual transcript, and with a tinge of sarcasm, really unloaded on the Corinthains! “To my shame,” he said, “I must say that we have been weak (when compared with you).” Then point-by-point, the Apostle shares with the Corinthians and with us just some of what he has encountered along the way.

I’m not going to repeat his words here. Instead, I ask you to re-read the verses at the beginning of our

Letter today. Read slowly and carefully all he says. He begins by stating his ancestry. He is a Hebrew – a Jew, a son of Abraham. He is also a servant of Christ. That’s the conclusion of the blessings; from there on Paul lists the turbulent difficulties he has encountered since coming to faith in Christ and endeavoring to share it with others. Re-read those opening verses now, and compare the difficulties you face with those Paul faced. I think you will agree with me and share my shame for complaining about how much we’ve all suffered in the cause of Christ. May God help us never to complain again!

I pray daily for you as you share Christ with others, and trust that you are praying for me as well.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”