ICS Daily Devotions
Perplexed, Persecuted and Struck Down
2 Corinthians 4:8-9(NKJV) We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed
—Perplexed (Strong’s Concordance 639) aporeó/aporeomai means literally to be without a way or path. Thus not to know which way to turn, to be at a loss, to be uncertain, to be “dazed and confused”, to be in doubt, to be disturbed.
We can be perplexed but not in despair because we have a living hope and a covenant with our living God.
God has good plans for our lives. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, comforter and helper therefore He is able to teach us in every situation. He will lead and guide us to know what to do as we seek the face of the Lord. We choose to anchor our faith in the Word that God has given to us because in Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Therefore, we are not moved by what we see, feel or experience because our faith is anchored in the Word. The Word of God gives substance to our faith. We refuse to be moved by the circumstances.
John 15:20 (NKJV) Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
Persecuted (Strong’s Concordance 1377) diókó means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy – to chase, harass, vex and pressure.
We should not be surprised if we are persecuted for our faith and for acting in righteousness. The world and its darkness will not like light shining into it, revealing all the sins and ugliness of its practices, and therefore there will be persecution. Jesus had already told us that persecution is inevitable. Many of the early Christians and apostles were martyred because of this.
The Apostle Paul experienced shipwrecks, hunger, betrayals by false brethren, beaten by the rod, stoned, whipped twice 39 stripes and left to die for preaching the gospel. Yet, he was able to testify that he was not abandoned, forsaken nor left in despair because God was with him throughout all these different ordeals. He had experienced the power, the presence and the grace of God in his life. Therefore, Paul was able to speak with conviction these words. “We are hard pressed on every side, yet NOT CRUSHED; we are perplexed, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR; persecuted, BUT NOT FORSAKEN; struck down, BUT NOT DESTROYED” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NKJV) (emphasis added).
Struck down (Strong’s Concordance 2598) kataballó means literally to cast down or to throw to the ground.
Most of us might not have been physically struck down by anyone but we would have experienced being undermined, “tripped up” intentionally or betrayed by close ones, business partners and friends. We may feel downcast because of the experience that we have had. Don’t add to your own stress by thinking that no one is able to understand what you are going through during your times of suffering, or that you need to keep everything to yourself because of privacy issues or your position in a company. We are all humans who need comfort, consolation and encouragement whenever we are hard pressed, persecuted, perplexed or struck down.
The good news is if the Lord is for you then you will not be destroyed. You can rise up again if the Lord is for you! Do not be discouraged and despaired because Jesus our High Priest who had gone through tremendous sufferings Himself, is able to empathize with you.
Sermon Series: I Believe Therefore I Speak
