O Lord, look upon mine adversity and
misery, which call aloud to Thee for ease.
O, most gracious God, my pains are extreme;
have pity on me, and lighten them. In
Thine anger, which I have deserved, remem-
ber mercy, and consider my feebleness and
frailty. I have waited for Thy relief,
Father; give me the comforts of it. show
me Thy mercy, and speedily, for my need is
great. Send me seasonable help and strength
now, and everlasting rest with Thee in the
end: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Paul [addressed] the Corinthians as “those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Cor. 1:2). The congregation in Corinth was anything but a “holy” people in terms of life and conduct; false teaching, schisms, and immorality marred the church. Still, it was a congregation of saints, of the sanctified, because in spite of the sinful conduct of many of its members and the worldly character of the church itself, it was still the church of God in Corinth.
George Eldon Ladd