2 Corinthians 11:23-30, Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

There are those today who would tell Paul that he must have unconfessed sin in his life, and if he would just get right with God he could be driving a golden chariot around town. The early believers who were put in prison for their faith actually rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Would we be able to have this attitude in the face of even one of the trials Paul faced?

Give us Your strength as You did Paul in times of suffering for Your name if we should be counted worthy. Let us keep our eyes on You, Lord!

ESV Lectionary