Though it was utterly distasteful and against his preferred use of ink and time, Paul responded to the charges of his critics in Corinth. And in that defense of his apostleship he said that he acted in response to his Lord "in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and third, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness...," (2 Cor. 11:27).

When I came to that passage recently, preparing for a Bible class, I stopped and made an immediate assessment of my blessings. It was cold and wet outside, but I was in my warm home/office. I had a cup of cold water on my desk (with coffee available); a nicely bound Bible in front of my keyboard, using one of the latest Dell desktop computers. And a few minutes after my study session, I went to meet someone for lunch, invited to order anything I wanted on the menu. I drove to that appointment in a late model van.

I should be well aware, I've never suffered hunger or thirst. Water, food and warmth is relatively easy for most of us (exceptions granted).

How many preachers in this nation today, are persecuted to the point of starvation? What about hostile mobs following preachers, seeking to kill them? (I understand, in other societies today and in many third-world countries, these sufferings may be real, though not common.) In our existence in America, few if any preachers are suffering to the extent that was real and daily for Paul.

Thank God for that. But never assume it will always be this way.

"You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin," (Heb. 12:4).