“For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11).

Is it not true that many times you grow more when you go through tough times than when things are fine?  The Lord has promised that there is a purpose for everything.  Come then and rejoice that the Lord has given you a good gift in leading you into salvation.  Not that it is easy, but the Lord will strengthen you through whatever may come.  Live in His purpose and rejoice in His good gifts.

Thank God that He will not settle until He makes you to be like Christ.  Whatever it takes, the Lord will do.  This is good and fitting.  He is the One who made us, yet we often fight against Him, wanting what we want.  Trust in the Lord always and know that His goodness is forever.  He will make of you what He has always intended.  When you and I accept this, then it become easier; for His burden is light.

Lord Jesus, You demonstrated how hard it is to live in this age.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may see the truth that You are always with me.  Lead me in truth that I may trust Your leading no matter what may come.  You are the author and finisher of my faith and You know what I need.  Show me this day, whether an easy or hard day, that I may walk with You always, knowing You are with me.  Amen

“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Do you see that the Lord is conforming you to the image of Christ?  He loves you enough to stop at nothing to produce in you one who loves Him wholly and fully.  We may not see yet the outcome, but He does.  Life is in His hands and no matter what comes, the author of your life and faith is leading you in love that You may trust Him above all things, circumstances, and times.

Lord, it is often difficult living this life of faith when things do not go as I imagine they should.  Lead me, O Lord, that through all times of sorrow I may see that You also weep at the sin in this world.  Help me to look above and not be held back by the untruth of this age.  Guide me into repentance of those things which I think should be mine, but are really Yours.

Lord Jesus, You underwent a baptism of repentance for us all, repenting perfectly where we cannot.  You led the godly life for us who are unable that we might have the opportunity to become as You are, a child of God.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of salvation that I may walk humbly with You through every sorrow in the struggles of my heart that Your heart may take its place.  Amen.

“For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it – for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while – I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us” (2 Corinthians 7:8-9).

Sorrow sometimes seems like something evil in our time.  Is not sorrow lament?  Is not much of lament what we want rather than accepting what is?  Does not the Lord, who knows all things, have you in His plan?  Do you see how we struggle not so much with what we feel, but with our feelings driving us because of pride?  We are to trust the Lord above all things and know His plan is perfect.

Lord, I do sorrow and that is not sin.  I feel what I feel.  I do sorrow over the state of rebellion in this age and so do You.  Guide me to have godly sorrow that I would not be driven by my feelings, but by the truth You have revealed, that all things are now and always in Your hands.  Lead me, Lord, to lament as You teach me, and to trust as You have caused my heart to do.

Lord Jesus, You looked out and wept.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would not sorrow as those who have no hope, but would deal with every situation as You lead.  Guide me to grow through every sorrow that I would be strengthened to live this life You have given me according to the Father’s will.  Help me see that there is divine purpose in everything that happens in this life.  Amen.

“And not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more’ 92 Corinthians 7:7).

The Lord knows what is going on in our hearts.  He knows the difficulties, struggles, doubts and fears.  Those things which get in the way are often the very things He uses to grow in us what is needed.  Come then and trust the One who created you.  He knows all that you need and will not stop until you are conformed to the image of Christ and become as a child of the Most High.

Lord, help me to see the big picture that I would not just focus upon each step, but know that You are leading me with purpose.  Through all that comes, guide me to focus upon all of Your promises, knowing that You are the only One who will cause things to come about as You declare.  In You alone is all hope, so help my heart to know this simple truth as I struggle through each day.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to be tempted.  You know the pitfalls this age brings upon us.  You have experienced these things and know what we need.  Lead me this day in the truth of Your presence and purpose that I may be guided by You through all that will come.  Turn my heart toward You that I may willingly participate in this salvation You bring through grace.  Amen.

“For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.  But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:5-6)

In whom do you trust?  Who will be the One to lead you where you need to go?  The Lord God, Creator of all things knows what you need before you ask.  He has made His plan and it is sure.  This world will come against God’s faithful.  But do not fear, for if the Lord is with you, nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate you from the love God has given you in Christ.

Lord, this world does have its ups and downs.  Teach me to live through what this world brings that I may now and always walk humbly with you.  Guide me into this new life You give by grace that I would walk through every travail, tribulation, and fear knowing that You are with me.  Let me comfort others with the comfort You have given me that we may grow in the likeness of Christ.

Lord Jesus, You are the comfort of the weary.  You are the hope of the frightened.  You are the One who knows all that is needed and have provided before we ask.  Lead me this day in the way of salvation that I would see how You have rescued me from the pitfalls over which I passed by Your grace.  In all things, help me to keep my eyes upon You, for I need You to lead me.  Amen.

“I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.  Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction” 2 Corinthians 7:3-4).

One of the things that seems to have diminished in current generations is a truthful exhortation one to the other.  We are to speak to each other in truth and love.  Not condemnation, but exhortation; that is, encouraging each other whether what we perceive is positive or negative in the word of the Lord.  Do not be afraid to speak the truth, for if you can help, it is not condemnation.

Lord, teach me to speak truthfully in love.  Help me to not see another as an adversary, but as a brother or sister.  Help me to receive correction when needed and to be willing to give correction according to Your word as well.  No matter the affliction, whether upon me, them, or us, let me be one to see the loving way to live through all circumstances in fellowship.  You have called us to be one as You are One.

Lord Jesus, You perfectly loved and rebuked.  You lead and we are to follow.  Help me to learn the lessons that I may live more fully in this faith You have given me.  Guide me according to Your principles to see as much of the whole as I can.  Guide me to live Your precepts, carrying through with what You would have me do and become whom You are making me to be.  Amen.

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one” (2 Corinthians 7:1-2).

It is not just a matter of preparing your heart and walking with the Lord, but also walking in the fellowship the Lord gives You.  He is, and must be, the author and finisher of your faith.  Willingly have Him lead you in all of your ways, for He alone knows all that is needed to perfect you, as has always been the goal.  Follow the Lord now and always as He leads where you need to go.

Lord, help me to see that this is a relationship that will never end.  You have come that all who believe might have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me amidst the fellowship to which You have appointed me that I may be guided by what You know I need.  Grant me a heart that receives Your direction and willingly learns the lessons You will teach me that I may be what You intend.

Come, Holy Spirit, and minister to me and through me.  It is not just me, but also those around me whom You will influence and lead.  You know all that I need and You are a constant presence.  Guide me in Your goodness to see and hear as You guide me through this day and every day.  Teach me what faithfulness means that I may live faithfully in Your guidance and with Your direction.  Amen.

“I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.  “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.  “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

The invitation is clear.  Come and walk as a child of the Lord.  He will come to You and wants You to be with Him.  The Gospel makes this relationship possible through the mercy and grace of the Lord.  He desires to take You from where you were to where you need to be in order to walk with Him now and forever.  Come then, walk in the way of the Lord and live in Him.

Lord, I often think it is a matter of what I do or do not do.  Help me to live into this life for which You have died that I may live into a life of being a child of the Most High.  Guide me according to Your goodness that I may now and always abide in You and You in me.  Teach me the way to think that I may have thoughts that are good and fitting for this life that You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You have made possible eternal life.  You invite each one of us to come into You and walk as You have taught us.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may learn to always abide in You.  Open my heart that I would always welcome You into my life to guide me where I need to go.  Through all things, that Thy will be done, teach me to delight in walking with You every step of the way.  Amen.

“Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said” (2 Corinthians 6:15-16)

There is a distinct difference between those who walk in the way of the Lord and those who continue in rebellion.  Walk as one who is learning to love as the Lord loves.  Live as one who knows that the way of eternal life is with the Savior.  Be guided by the goodness of Christ and His mercy.  Know that in the Lord alone is the way of everlasting, good and full life.

Lord, help me to see with clarity the goodness You have made possible through grace.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see through the pitfalls of this age that I may focus upon Your goodness and mercy.  Teach me how to love as You love.  Guide me to live into this new life which You have given me by grace through Jesus, my Savior.  Keep my eyes always clear and focused on You.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  Help me to walk humbly with You always.  Guide me in Your goodness that I may now and always abide in You as You abide in me.  Let me see the difference fellowship makes that I may dwell with others who are walking with You. Bring me to humbly love all whom I meet, but to be discerning with whom I fellowship.  Amen.

“Now in a like exchange – I speak as to children – open wide to us also.   Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:13-14)

The principle here is not one of excluding others, but one of recognizing that when you socialize with groups you will become like those groups.  We are constantly influenced by all kinds of things.  The important thing is to be aware of the influences and then to protect yourself so that you are influenced by the Lord, His Word and those who are in Him and will be an encouragement.

Lord, help me to learn those places where I need to strike a balance.  Guide me according to Your goodness that I would live into the life to which You have called me.  Help me always to see that only in You is there both liberty and life.  Walking with You is not giving up, but gaining.  Help me to love those who are yours and to willingly join with them as an active part of my life.

Lord Jesus, You gathered around You a fellowship who were Your community.  By Your example, I realize first that it is made up of all kinds of people, and then, that there was one in Your midst who betrayed You.  But, above all that, You had around You those who were called to You.  Let me be a part of Your fellowship wherever and whenever that takes place by Your calling.  Amen.