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"Who delivered us from so great a death..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:10

DIVINE DELIVERANCE

There was only one way to escape the peril described, “The sentence of death.” God would have to step in to bring about “divine deliverance”.

“Who delivered us from so great a death,
and does deliver us; in whom we trust
that He will still deliver us.”
2 Corinthians 1:10

1. “From so great a death”

a) This was a reference to the judgment that Paul and his companions received.

b) They were in peril of losing their lives.

2. Was Paul afraid of death?

a) Paul was not afraid of suffering or dying for his faith in Christ ultimately.

b) On this occasion Paul was recalling a time when he was in Asia Minor.

c) He shared how he and his companions felt.

d) This was done with great candour.

e) He had to come to grips with basic things as all human beings must.

i) Fear of tribulation that could be painful and would lead to a terrible death.

ii) Trust in God rather than self.

3. “And does deliver us”

a) God rescued them from almost certain death.

b) There was divine intervention. (Though this was not actually recorded in the Book of Acts.)

4. Vital lessons learned

a) Trust that God can and will raise the dead (should the judgment be carried out).

b) The word “trust” may be translated “hope”.

i) Hope comes from faith.

ii) Faith in turn becomes “trust”.

iii) The phrase “In whom we trust” highlights the sense of “hope” that Paul had in the Lord.

c) Paul was able to speak of a deep sense of hope in God.

i) That He can and will come to the rescue of His servants who trust in Him.

ii) That He will continue to watch over His servants who may be in peril while serving Him.

iii) That, as He had delivered, so He will yet deliver.

iv) There should not be fear in the heart when serving God, even in perilous situations.