Week 31—Sunday 1 Corinthians 4:9-13
Week 31—SUNDAY
A BUILT-IN REPAIR SHOP
As we look through the Scriptures and life around us to see the Word become flesh, we are struck with the fact of Paul as the Word of physical vitality become flesh: “They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe” (Acts 14:19-20). Paul was dragged out of the city like a dead dog, and when they stood around him he rose up and went on his own steam into the city. Note he didn’t go away into hiding to lick his wounds, he went straight back into the city where he had been stoned, really asking for more. Someone has defined faith as “the attitude that asks for the hardest job and then asks for more.” Then Paul had faith to the nth degree.
He must have been terribly bruised from the stoning and the dragging, and yet without complaint he walks back into the city and asks for more! And to prove it was no bravado, the account says: “And on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe” (Acts 14:20). And Derbe was about twenty-five miles away—a twenty-five mile walk after a day of stoning! That is the word of vitality became bruised flesh. And the bruises were healed by the built-in health of the man.
Signs on the expressways say, “No stopping except for repairs.” But Paul didn’t even stop for repairs. For evidently he had a built-in repair shop—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was quickening with his mortal body: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies” (Rom. 8:11). This is repairing as you go. Dr. Cannon, the great physiologist, says, “All the healing forces are laid up within the body ready to go into operation when needed.” That happens spiritually and physically. No need to lay up long periods for repairs, for the Spirit quickens the mortal body as you go. You have a built-in repair shop, giving instant service when needed.
O Holy Spirit, I thank you that you are within and within for immediate help and healing. I thank you that even before I know my need you are healing and you are saving and you are energizing. How can I thank you enough? Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I shall depend not on recreation, but re-creation to repair me daily and hourly.