Food for the Soul

Time to Rely On God

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

- 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 NIV

It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don’t want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God’s deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.

- 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 MSG

Are you going through something that seems impossible? Are you ready to give up? Can you not see a way out? When times like this occur, it seems as if it's time to despair, but this passage from Corinthians tells us that what's going on is really a sign that it's time to rely on God. This is the time to remember what God has already done for us. This is the time to remember who He is in our life. Now is the time to ask our brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for us and with us. After all, hasn't the Lord delivered us from so many things before? Did He ever heal you? Did He ever heal a loved one? Has He ever protected you from danger? Then, you know if He did it before, He will do it again and again and again. What you are going through right now is not a punishment. It's a reminder that Christ is right there with you in the struggle. Psalm 23 says, "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me." That means even when I'm at my lowest point and it feels like what I'm going through will kill me, it's only a shadow that I'm seeing so I don't need to be afraid because my Good Shepherd is right here with me, protecting me all the way until this hard time is over. Also, James 5:15 says that the prayers of God's people will save the sick. And Matthew 18:19 says when two or three believers agree in prayer, the Father will do what they ask. So instead of waddling in despair, call a friend and ask them to pray with you. Set your hope on God. Don't try to fix it yourself. Truly rely on your Heavenly Father for a solution. Just wait. When God answers your prayers, the praise and thanks will be contagious. It will spread from you and your friends to everyone who hears. Glory to God!