We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair
What brilliant delight filled the heart of the apostle Paul as he joyfully proclaimed the good tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul knew that the enemy of our soul uses every trick and deceit to conceal the truth from those that are dead in their trespasses and sins. He knew that the enemy of our soul, as a roaring lion, seeks to extinguish the light of the triumphant teaching of truth, and to quench the witness of those that have come to the life-giving knowledge of the glorious gospel of grace. But, he also knew that the illuminating power of the inherent Holy Spirit within our frail humanity, is a divine Light that shines forth the wonderful works of God to a lost and dying world. The enemy seeks to burden the effective witness of every fruitful disciple. The enemy seeks to crush and perplex our work and witness, and desires to fence us in on every side and press us into an ungodly mould. The enemy uses whatever method he can to persecute and perplex us, to oppress and embarrass us, to suppress our walk, and bring us to the point of desperation. But in Christ, Paul reminds us that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. And although we may be afflicted in every way, we are not crushed, for the Lord is our life and our strength. And although we may be perplexed by all the difficulties we are called upon to face for His sake, we will not despair, for His grace is sufficient, and His life-giving strength is perfected in our weakness.
Spiritual Steve 