Who gives us comfort in all our troubles, so that we may be able to give comfort to others who are in trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1: 4)
It has been said that it takes a steady hand to hold a full cup. God was planning to give a full cup to the apostle Paul. So He took Paul away and put him into obscurity in the desert of Arabia for a time. We are not told what happened there, but we can only presume that he drew close to the Lord in fellowship and communion. It was there that Paul refined his theology, evidenced in the New Testament epistles that God inspired him to write. This was typical of how God dealt with many people He was preparing for greater ministry assignments. When Elijah obediently delivered God's message to King Ahab and Queen Jezebel in their court, he was led away to the brook Cherith for a few years to wait on God. Moses had 40 years of training that prepared him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. Even after the young teenager David was anointed king of Israel, it wasn't until he reached the age of 30 that he actually ascended the throne. Joseph was used greatly in the house of Potiphar, but was then sent to prison for two long years. God was preparing these men for what was ahead, and He was doing the same for Paul. When you have gone through the desert of hardship, God uses us to more effectively minister to others. Do you find yourself in a "desert experience"? Maybe God has some training in mind for you. Remember, we can never be too small for God to use; only too big.
Have a great week,
Jody
