The Devotional – 1075 – Foot Steps in First Corinthians, On Going

The Devotional – 1075 – Foot Steps in First Corinthians, On Going

Psalm 110: 89 – Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. The words underlined literally carry the power of “standing firm”. We can take exceedingly great comfort in knowing that while the world around us is in pitiful decay because of active rebellion toward its Creator the Word of God is settled and will not be moved. Another parallel passage is: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall by no means pass away” Matthew 24:35. It is thoughtful to note that here in this Matthew passage, Jesus after referencing the span of earthly decay (24:4-31) turns to parables to reveal the signs of the end of time – Matthew 24:32-25:30.

CHALLENGES & COMMENTS – 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Have you ever written a letter? Of course you have, even a child is interested in having his or her voice heard through written communication. My daughter Stephanie wrote little messages to me in my Bible. She could not read or write at the time, but I know in my heart that she sought to communicate with me while we were away from each other that she loved me. 

Once I found a white 3 by 5 card stuck in my Bible and attached to it was a little pink sticky with a few scribbles. “I love you, dad” is what I read even though it was a child’s language. Now what has this to do with the apostle ending remarks? Maybe very little, but the apostle has plans to return to Corinth, to pick up the offering for Jerusalem and to visit other cities along his journey to Jerusalem.

As a sailor I was not at home much of the time and it was on one of my trips to sea that I found the little pink sticky and the card. As saints of God we are to love one another whether near or far and 1 Corinthian 16:11 reminds me; Speaking of Timothy, the apostle says that he will come, but will leave again. Don’t hate him for that, but send him away in peace.

Thirty two years ago Stephanie took a trip at the age of five. She will not return but she was sent away in peace, not a peace that this world can “afford” this world does not know peace. Again you may be thinking… what exactly am I talking about, the emotional flight over time to a point in this life and the life of a child is vividly noticeable abiding in the palm of God’s comforting Hand, then in a moment in the blink of the eye she is led by Him into her heavenly home. What has all of this to do with chapter 16 of 1 Corinthians?

The final personal exhortations of the apostle Paul in this chapter record for me personally of how we ought to be about greeting one another in peace and sending one another along the way since there is no way to plan life without a note of selfishness and loss. Life is busy with much to do, maybe some for a final farewell, others for a tour or two in missions. Still some on journeys of work that carries them away for periods of time. 

In his concluding remarks the apostle takes the moment to scribble a concluding message of love, the message carries peace and a calm remembrance and for those in Corinth these words would last a lifetime. Yes, I have hopped, skipped and jumped over this chapter with two main thoughts. Personally, people come and go in our lives daily, some return and some do not; but secondly, the fact that the apostle Paul took the time to refresh the memory of the Corinthian saints is a the other thought of a wonderful journey of the people a lifetime reminding us that we are called by God throughout all seasons of life to be “peacemakers”.