Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Today's Passage

2 Corinthians 12:11-13

I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. The things that mark an apostle - signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance. How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Fathers often feel neglected. Compared to Mother's Day, Father's Day is much less emphasized. Fathers labor all day to provide for the family, but often without much return. That's exactly how Paul felt: He cared for the needs of the Corinthian church and he felt that they were still in spiritual infancy; therefore, he'd rather provide for himself by weaving tents than becoming their financial burden. Paul didn't accept their money, but in return he was attacked as not a real apostle, which was a rather sad situation.

When other misunderstand us, how are we supposed to resolve it? First of all, if nothing contradicts with the truth, we should try our best not to defend ourselves, because the more we defend ourselves the more pitiful we look. It doesn't mean that we will deal with it passively, but rather we must look upon God and live more actively for Him. The Bible says God is our vengeance, so we must believe that God will do what's right. On the other hand, if the issue concerns the truth, we must ask the Lord for wisdom and courage, and stand up to defend the truth. This is why apologetics is so important - We need to know how the enemy will distort the truth and attack the church, so that we need to rise up to point out the errors on the Lord's behalf.

We must, however, be careful as we rebuke those in error First, we must be sure that we're prompted by the Holy Spirit, but not from our own will or the ploy of a small group of people. Second, we must carry an attitude of kindness, because Proverbs says that "gentle answer turns away wrath." Among all your words, if one out of ten lines carries rage, that's the only line that others will catch, and the other nine lines won't be remembered. Therefore, our tone and attitude are very important. Paul was in the second situation. His authority as an apostle was challenged, and as a result the brothers and sisters could not receive God's abundance and grace. Paul was very anxious, so with courage from God he defended for the Lord.

Are you in a circumstance of unfairness? May the Lord give us the willingness to be disciplined, so that we will never go astray from the way of the Lord.

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I thank you and I ask that you give us strength to face all kinds of slanders and attacks from the enemy. May the Lord help us to stand firm, and give us more perseverance, as we believe that the vengeance is in you and you will reveal your faithfulness to us. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!