Relying on His strength

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.~2 Corinthians 1:9

I really love this verse.  I have read it many times before, but today God granted my heart the ability to receive His Word.  God answers prayers.  He orchestrated everything so that I would be able to receive the very thing that I asked for.  God is good, He supplies my needs. I asked God for a word to cling to today.  I wanted a word from Him that would guide my day and keep my eyes fixed on Him and He supplied.

In this passage Paul is being real about the struggles and hardships he and those who traveled with him on his missionary journey through tour the province of Asia.  

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 2 Corinthians 1:8

He experienced things that were overwhelming.  Pressures that made him despair life.  Paul was a man of great faith, yet he too struggled and got down sometimes.  He was human, a man who knew who he was in Christ but nevertheless experienced trials and tribulations that were beyond his ability to bear. 

Yes, there are things in life that are just too much for us to bear, BUT they are never too much for 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.~2 Corinthians 1:9 ( Emphasis added)

Life can be so much for me at times.  I grow weak from the battles.  There are times when I just want to throw my hands up.  Maybe I should. Maybe I should throw my hands up and release it to God in praise and gratitude that I don’t have to rely on my strength but rather the very God who raises the dead.  

I can trust that God can raise those things that are dead in me, like dreams He has placed in my heart and hope.  My Father wants me to get to the end of myself so that I can experience what it means to rest in Him.  Resting in Him means I let go of trying to be the best person I can be for Him and instead rust that He will perfect that which concerns me.  Resting in Him and relying on His strength says that I can rejoice in all situations and circumstances and exhibit gentleness and forbearance.  

I am not going to “smile” everyday because life can be hard.  It’s okay to acknowledge my sorrows and pains, but I can be grateful that I can cast cares upon the Lord.  My soul always has a reason to praise as I rely on God’s strength and not my own.

So what does relying on His strength look like?  For me it’s not condemning myself for waking up late and thus cutting in on my quiet time, but rather trusting in God-knowing that my relationship is not based on checking the boxes.  It’s going to work when you would rather stay in bed and hide.  It’s answering the phone call of a friend and trusting God to give you the words that they need to hear because you are plum tired and know you have nothing to give.  It’s praying throughout the day for God to help keep your focus on what matters when your mind wants to take in other directions.  It’s forgiving those that hurt you and despise you when you would rather just let out a string of expletives.  It’s moment by moment walking with God line a toddler sometimes who needs their Father to hold their have tight and keep them from falling.  It’s grace.

Father, thank You for your Word.  Thank You for your strength.  May we trust You and rely on You alone.  Less of me and more of You.  In Jesus name. Amen