For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10who delivered us from so great a death, and does[a] deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our[b] behalf for the gift granted to us through many.--2nd Corinthians 1:8-11
To My Daughters,
We really cannot be sure here of which trial it is that Paul speaks of...he went through many. This one, however, burdened him beyond measure, above strength and he despaired even of life. This was a big one. This was one where he felt he had the sentence of death in himself and through it God taught him not to trust in himself but in His God, who brings life from the dead!
At one point or another in all of our lives, God brings us to the point where we do come to the end of ourselves and sometimes, like Paul, despair of even life itself. God used this kind of time in my life to bring me to His Son so that my darkest hour became the hour of my greatest hope. My God illuminated my darkness and even now, as a believer, He uses the night seasons of my life to encourage me to trust in Him and not in myself. Most of us like to solve our problems ourselves. God wants us to rely solely on Him and will use trials to bring us to the point where we "see" with heart knowledge that our hope is in Him and in Him alone. It is truly the greatest moment of our lives when we say, "God, I am tired of trusting in myself. I want you to rule and reign in me. I want you to work in my heart and conform me to your image." Man's weakest moment becomes His greatest triumph, when he trusts God to deliver him and see him through.
Our God, girls, can bring the dead back to life. He has revived me time and time again. Trust Him to work in your life.
who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,
He has delivered us, He is delivering us and He will continue to deliver us! Past, present and future deliveries guaranteed. How great is that? Remember how He has seen you through in the past. He is faithful. He will do it again.
you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
Paul sees his deliverance as being helped by the prayers of many. Pray for others...intercede on their behalf...bear their burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ...ask others to do the same for you.
Prayer glorifies God. It thanks Him for His perfect work in our lives, it thanks Him for His sovereignty and it changes our hearts. Prayer is an act of humility. When we pray, we acknowledge our own helplessness before God and our desperate need for Him. Praying helps us to put aside self rule and submit to God and His plans. It reminds us of where our true help comes from and makes us thankful. James tells us that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Prayers is a part of the delivery process. Pray.
Love
Mom
