2 Corinthians 1 (5)

Pray Psalm 23.1, 2.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

Sing Psalm 23.1, 2.
(The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
Because the LORD my Shepherd is I shall not want, for I am His!
He makes me lie in pastures full; I rest in Him by waters still.

Read 2 Corinthians 1.1-19; meditate on verses 15-19.

Preparation
1. What had Paul planned to do?

2. In what sense was Paul’s word to the Corinthians “Yes”?

Meditation
Paul had planned to visit the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16.5), to bring them “a second benefit” in the form of more instruction in the Gospel and to be “helped” on his journey to Jerusalem (vv. 15, 16). But his plans changed, and he was not able to come to them as he’d hoped. He sent Titus instead and was refreshed and encouraged when he returned with a good report (2 Cor. 7.6, 7).

Paul did not want them to think that he made plans “lightly” (v. 17). Or that he was duplicitous, saying he would come but knowing he would not (“Yes, Yes, and No, No”). His word to them was true: He planned to come, but, following the lead of Jesus, he changed his mind. He does not tell us why but implies that He was following the Lord. Paul would not deliberately mislead anyone. But he was always subject to the leading of God, and God is always free to change our plans.

God is faithful, and so is His Word, which Paul had faithfully declared to them (v. 18). He preached Jesus, Who is always “Yes” (v. 19). There is no Yes, No, or Perhaps with Jesus. God is faithful and His Word is true. Jesus is the “Yes Path” in that He leads us into all the promises of God. When we proclaim Jesus as the eternal Son of God, according to the Word of God, we are calling people to join us on the Yes Path of eternal life. Our plans might change. We might not always be able to carry out what we have promised or hoped. But God’s Word never fails. God will never be anything other than faithful to His Word. And as we cling to that Word, we can be sure that we are where God wants us to be, doing what He has called us to do.

Following along on the Yes Path with Jesus.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
“In Him was Yes” (2 Cor. 1.19).

Yes, I have given you My Law (Ex. 20.1-17).
Yes, I have set before you My life-giving Words (Deut. 32.46, 47).
Yes, underneath you are My everlasting arms (Deut. 33.27).
Yes, no doubt, you have sinned (Rom. 3.23).
Yes, those sins are deserving of death (Rom. 6.23).
Yes, I have sent My Son into the world to pay for those sins (Jn. 3.16; Rom. 5.8).
Yes, I love you (1 Jn. 5.16).
Yes, I chose you (Jn. 15.16).
Yes, I have plans for you (Jer. 29.11)
Yes, I have Kingdom work for you to do (Eph. 2.10).
Yes, I want you to know Me (Jn. 17.3).
Yes, I want you to obey Me (Jn. 14.15).
Yes, I want you to be one with other believers (Jn. 17.22, 23).
Yes, I want you to be with Me in glory (Jn. 17.24).
Yes, I AM preparing a place for you (Jn. 14.1-4).
Yes, I AM coming again (1 Thess. 4.16-18).
Yes, I will create a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21.1).
Yes, I will make all things new (Rev. 21.5).

“In Him was Yes” (2 Cor. 1.19).

For reflection
1. In what ways is Jesus the “Yes” of your life?

2. God is faithful to His Word. What does He expect of us where His Word is concerned?

3. To whom will you bring the “Yes” of Jesus today?

[T[he servant of the Spirit is led by the Spirit. He cannot just do what he likes. He is dependent on the Spirit’s authority. Paul was not able to come to Corinth because it was not the Spirit’s will for him to go there. John Chrysostom (344-407), Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians 3.3

Pray Psalm 23.3-6.
Only God is infallible. Only God never changes. Thank God that, infallibly and unchangeably, He cares for you according to His Word. Call on Him to guide your every step today and always.

Sing Psalm 23.3-6.
(The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
My soul He quickens and will bless; He leads in paths of righteousness.
Though I may walk in death’s dark vale, I shall not fear – He will not fail!

The LORD is ever by my side; His rod and staff with me abide.
A table rich for me He spreads; with oil my LORD anoints my head.

Goodness and mercy, full and free, shall ever after follow me,
and in the house of God, my LORD, shall I abide forevermore!

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.