2 Corinthians 1:8

2 Corinthians 1:8 says, For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:  Though Paul proclaimed freedom and peace through the gospel, he did not want people to believe that this meant freedom and peace in this world at all times.  Paul wanted the followers of Christ to know that not only would they not always be at peace in the world, but that being true to Christ might bring persecution and suffering.  Paul said that in Asia they were pressed out measure and above their strength.  He also said that they feared for their lives.  Paul was not sharing this to bring honor to himself for his sufferings for Christ, but to call on his fellow believers to remain strong in their faith no matter what.  Verse nine adds, But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:  Paul said that under the sentence of death that they knew that their deliverance was not to come by their own strength, but through God Who raises the dead.  Like Paul, we cannot rely on our own strength for deliverance, and even if we lose our life for our faith in Christ, God will still raise us to everlasting life.  Verse ten continues, Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;  Paul said that Christ delivered us from death when we accepted Him as our Savior, that every day He delivers us from the power of death from sin when we follow Him as Lord, and that we can trust Him for the final deliverance into Heaven when He returns.  We are not just saved and left to live by our own power, but once we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, He is with us forever to deliver us from death under sin to life through faith in the grace of God.  Verse eleven states, Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.  Paul said the prayers for those with him and for him helped them in their ministry.  We need to be in prayer for our fellow believers today, especially those who are ministers of the gospel.  Never underestimate the power of prayer.  Verse twelve adds, For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.  Paul said that those with him and he himself rejoiced because they witnessed with the testimony of their conscience.  They were faithful in presenting the truth of the gospel to all those around them.  Paul recognized that this was only possible by the grace of God.  Even while being persecuted, Paul was rejoicing in the power of the gospel in his life.  We need to be the same way today, witnessing about the gospel in simplicity and Godly sincerity to all those we meet.