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Our troubles serve to highlight God’s grace and mercy–and keep us from thinking too highly of ourselves.

BibleGateway: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

ESV Text: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:44

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     1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 427:
How Firm a Foundation

— Organ Audio

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1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, 
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! 
What more can He say than to you He hath said 
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled? 

2. In every condition, — in sickness, in health, 
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth, 
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, – 
The Lord, the Almighty, thy strength e’er shall be. 

3. “Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed, 
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid; 
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, 
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand. 

4. “When through the deep waters I call thee to go, 
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; 
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless 
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 

5. “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, 
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply. 
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design 
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. 

6. “E’en down to old age all My people shall prove 
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; 
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, 
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne. 

7. “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose 
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes; 
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, 
I’ll never, no never, no never, forsake!”