Left for dead ∙∙∙
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. – Act 14:19
2 Corinthians 11:23-27
23 I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.
24 Five different times, the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
25 Three times, I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
Harry Ironside: A Life That Almost Wasn’t
Harry Ironside was born on October 14, 1876, in Toronto, Canada, under dire circumstances. His mother’s health was in critical condition, and all efforts focused on saving her life. Believed to be stillborn, the newborn Harry seemed destined for tragedy. However, the newborn was not ready to give up on his life’s purpose. A nurse detected a faint pulse and quickly placed him in a hot water bath. The tiny infant responded with a cry, a voice that would one day proclaim the gospel of Christ to millions around the world.
A Passion for Scripture
From a young age, Harry showed an extraordinary interest in Scripture. By the age of four, he had memorized his first Bible verse. Yet, despite his early exposure to the Word, he did not find peace with God until he was fourteen, when he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.
A Remarkable Ministry
Harry Ironside’s life was a testament to God’s ability to use the unlikely. With only an eighth-grade education, he became one of the most renowned Bible teachers in the world. By the time he turned fourteen, he had read the Bible fourteen times. He later became associated with the Plymouth Brethren and, though never ordained, pastored Moody Memorial Church in Chicago for eighteen years. His story demonstrates that God’s plans consistently challenge and surpass human expectations. Despite having only an eighth-grade education, he emerged as one of the most respected and influential Bible teachers in the world.
Wrestling with Despair: When Life Feels Too Much
What could be more tragic than being born dead? Maybe it’s being born alive but wishing you had been “born dead.” Many have felt this way because of the traumas, disappointments, rejections, or abuse they’ve gone through.
Even great figures in Scripture wrestled with despair. Jonah, overwhelmed by frustration, cried out, Jonah 4:3, “Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted does not happen.”
Similarly, Job, a man who suffered unimaginable loss, his family, wealth, and health, reached his breaking point. In his despair, he cursed the day he was born, Job 3:1, “At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth.”
Questioning God
Job’s suffering led him into a spiral of gloom, frustration, and anger. He questioned everything, including God’s justice and purpose. Like many of us, Job never expected to find answers.
The Father Shows Up
Job is startled and totally surprised when the Father, the King of the universe, shows up. The Father interrupts Job’s despair. Instead of offering explanations, the Father turns the tables and begins to interrogate Job. Through a series of questions, God reveals the vastness of His wisdom and the limitations of Job’s understanding (Job 38, 39). It is not unusual for people to question God; people do it all the time. Are we really prepared for the answer?
Job 40:1-2: “Then the LORD said to Job, ‘Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?’” Job’s response is one of humility: Job 40:3-5: “I am nothing, how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
Job’s Realization
Ultimately, Job comes to realize the futility of questioning the Almighty. He acknowledges God’s sovereignty and repents for his earlier words. Job responds, Job 42:1-4, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I, and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.”
Job’s transformation is profound: Job 42:5-6: “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said and sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
God’s Purpose in Suffering
Both Job and Harry Ironside’s stories remind us that the Father has a purpose and plan for all that He does. While we may not always understand the “whys” of our lives, they often become clear in hindsight.
Job’s Lesson: Suffering can lead to a deeper understanding of God’s sovereignty and wisdom.
Ironside’s Lesson: Even the most unlikely beginnings can lead to a life of extraordinary purpose when surrendered to God.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father’s response to Job reminds us that His ways are higher than ours, and His wisdom is beyond our comprehension. Are you willing to surrender your doubts and trust that God’s plans are “far too wonderful” for you to fully understand?
Father, there have been so many times that I have questioned You. I wish I could take it all back. Help me to trust in Your wisdom and sovereignty, even when I don’t understand. Thank You for having a purpose and plan for my life, even in the midst of suffering.
INSIGHT
Paul’s Eternal Perspective
The apostle Paul endured immense suffering as he faithfully served the Father. From the very beginning of his ministry, Paul understood something that Job lacked: an eternal perspective. He recognized that living out his faith and staying true to the gospel came with a cost.
Paul had received a high calling and responsibility from the Father, and with that high calling came a high price. He was not naive about the challenges of his mission. Instead, he embraced them, knowing that his suffering was part of fulfilling God’s purpose for his life.
Paul’s Testimony of Endurance
In his letter to Timothy, Paul reflects on his life and ministry, offering a powerful testimony of endurance: 2 Timothy 3:10-11: “Timothy, you certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, but the Lord rescued me from all of it.”
Paul’s words reveal several key truths:
- Faithfulness in Teaching and Living: Paul’s life was consistent with his message. He lived out what he preached.
- Endurance Through Persecution: Paul faced intense opposition, yet he persevered.
- God’s Deliverance: Despite the suffering, Paul acknowledges that the Lord rescued him from every trial.
Paul does not sugarcoat the reality and hardships of following Christ. He makes it clear that suffering is not an exception but an expectation for those who live a godly life: 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
Faithfulness Comes with a Price
Paul’s life demonstrates that seeking to be faithful and godly is not a way to escape suffering; it is often a direct path to it. Living for Christ puts believers in direct opposition to the world’s values, making them targets for persecution.
A Front-Row Seat to Suffering
Paul’s willingness to suffer was not for his own benefit but for the sake of others and the gospel. He never asked others to suffer for him, but he was always ready to endure hardship for their sake. His suffering was the result of doing the right thing, standing firm in his faith, and proclaiming the truth.
Faithfulness in the Face of Trials
The Father does not promise a life free from suffering. Instead, He prepares His children for the inevitable challenges they will face. As Charles Stanley notes, this promise is not meant to discourage us but to equip us to shine for Him when the time comes. Paul encourages Timothy to remain steadfast: 2 Timothy 3:14: “But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.”
This reminder is as relevant today as it was then. Faithfulness requires perseverance, trust in God’s Word, and reliance on the truth we have been taught.
Lessons from Job, Paul, and Harry
The stories of Job and Harry Ironside remind us that life’s greatest challenges often lead to the deepest revelations of God’s character. Job’s suffering brought him to a place of humility and awe, while Ironside’s unlikely beginning became the foundation for a life of global ministry.
The Father does not always explain the “whys” of our lives, but He calls us to trust Him. As Job discovered, God’s plans are far too wonderful for us to fully grasp. Let us, like Job, respond with humility and faith, knowing that the Father’s wisdom and purpose are perfect. Even in the midst of suffering, He is working for our good and His glory.
Paul’s life reminds us that the Christian journey is not without challenges, but it is worth every cost. His eternal perspective allowed him to endure persecution with patience, love, and faith. Paul’s life offers several key lessons:
- Know Your Purpose: Paul never wavered in his understanding of his mission. He was determined to do the Father’s will at all costs.
- Expect Opposition: Suffering and persecution are part of the Christian journey. They are not signs of failure but evidence of faithfulness.
- Trust in God’s Deliverance: While suffering is inevitable, so is God’s faithfulness. He will rescue and sustain His children.
- Shine in the Darkness: Suffering provides an opportunity to reflect God’s glory and demonstrate His power to a watching world.
As children of the King, we are called to the same high standard. The Father does not promise a life free from suffering, but He equips us to face it with courage and faith
¯\_(ツ)_/¯5-05-23
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 