WOUNDED BUT NOT NOT DESTROYED

"In everything we are troubled, but not distressed; perplexed, but not discouraged.

Persecuted, but not forsaken; slaughtered but not destroyed "; 2 Corinthians 4: 8,9

While allowing the world to hurt us, God also guarantees our restoration and our functionality. This is what the Bible tells us: "We have many enemies, but we never lack a friend. Sometimes we are badly wounded, but we are never destroyed "(2 Corinthians 4: 8,9).

The book of Job, among many lessons, teaches us that the power of Satan is limited by the sovereignty of God. The Enemy does not have enough strength to destroy the divine design. Not only does the divine lordship impose limits on the work of the Devil - especially, God's love uses the suicidal revolt of the Devil as one of His resources for strengthening His children - "we have many enemies, but we never lack a friend."

Even as our Master, Jesus decided to treat us as friends (John 15:15). Hence Paul's statement - we have many enemies, but we never lack a friend. Because, despite all the trials caused by the world, the Friend always restores us, always strengthens us, always guarantees victory. We are wounded, but we are not destroyed. In this context, we understand the apostle's proclamation: "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Pr. Olavo Feijó