Reflections on 1 Corinthians 2:5
“…so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:5, NIV)
This is why Paul kept his speech simple and came to Corinth trembling. He did not want their faith resting on him. Faith that rests on a clever speaker falls when the speaker fails, or when a cleverer one comes along. Faith that rests on God holds.
The Remedy says their trust should rest “not… on human charisma but on God himself and his character of Love.” I would have kept the word power, as nearly every other translation does. Still, the two belong together: God’s power is the power of His Love. Our faith is grounded in His character, His Love, His power, and His ability to do all He has promised to do in us, “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).
We are surrounded constantly by His loving care. His watch care is a hedge of protection we are living behind. All the comfort and goodness we have in this life come as a gift from Him. Our selfish human nature grabs hold of the good with no thought to the Giver, to the One who is keeping us safe. But faith remembers the Giver, and that is what roots it in Him rather than in His gifts.
Our faith can rest safely in Him. His timing is perfect, so we need not be alarmed when our day goes in a new way. Often this is the Father protecting us from what we cannot see. “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). He is letting us be a witness to others, and growing our faith in Him and His constant care.
Learn to be happy in every circumstance: happy because you are growing the strength to hold a fuller cup of blessing, or happy because you have the chance to trust Him when it costs you pain. Paul learned it: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).
He is always near. He will never leave us; it is we who pull away from Him. So relax, and allow life to be what it will, while you do your best to bless and support all the good. The Father is in charge of how it all turns out in the end.
