24 Aug September 30 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

RELY ON GOD’S GRACE

2 Corinthians 1:12 “ Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity ^w and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.”

St. Paul, the writer of the second letter to the Corinthians, was a complex individual.  He was about as well educated as one could be.  As a child He had learned from his teachers how important it was to strictly follow God’s law.  By the time he wrote this letter he was a changed man.  He was changed by Jesus in a miraculous manner on the road to Damascus. (Read the account in Acts 1:1-19) He states in verse 12, he no longer “. . .relied upon worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.”

It might sound to you that relying on God’s grace is something you must do for yourself.  Well, it is not!  First and foremost, such a lifestyle begins with God.  He is the one who promised, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) This promise became yours at your baptism when He adopted you.  “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

The Holy Spirit daily works in you through the power of your baptism and the Gospel to focus your heart, mind and soul upon your heavenly father and His will.  Through Jesus you have a new life that depends upon your God knowing it is no longer you who lives but Christ who lives in you. (Galatians 2:20)

By God’s grace you have been given faith in His Son to know Him personally.  Knowing Him in this intimate manner you know that it is He who empowers, guides, and blesses you with His good gifts to live every day completely reliant upon Him.

Dwelling in you, His Spirit is your ever-present counselor, comforter, companion, and advocate. He leads you to all truth.  He creates and maintains in your heart faith in Jesus through whom you overcome all adversity.  John writes, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)

Prayer:  Thank you dear Father for Your gift of faith and the sending of Your Spirit to empower, guide and bless me to rely upon You for all I need.  Amen.

Thine forever, God of love! Hear us from Thy throne above;

Thine forever may we be Here and in eternity!

Thine forever! Oh, how blest They who find in Thee their rest!

Savior, guardian, heav’nly friend, O defend us to the end!

Thine forever, Lord of Life! Shield us through our earthly strife.

Thou, the life, the truth, the way, Gide us to the realms of day.

Thine forever! Shepherd, keep These thy frail and trembling sheep;

Safe alone beneath Thy care, Let us all Thy goodness share.

Thine forever! Thou our guide!  All our wants by Thee supplied,

All our sins by Thee forgiv’n; Lead us, Lord, from earth to heav’n.

(LSB 687)