“This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead… He will deliver us, yet again, as you help us by your prayers.” 2 Cor. 1:9-11
Heavenly Father, even as the Apostle Paul was tabbed “the apostle of grace,” so he’s also our model of dependence. The myth of self-sufficiency, lies of autonomy, and faux promises of isolation no longer enticed him. A core value for Paul became “I am not enough.”
The Gospel freed Paul from any “need” to be omni-competent and impressive. We’ll search in vain in all his writings for a verse that is remotely close to, “You guys go on. I’ve got this one” (1st Foolishness 3:16). Being responsible to carry our weight is one thing (Gal.6:1), but putting ‘lipstick” on our helplessness is quite another. Pride guarantees your resistance; but humbling ourselves and getting low is where we’ll find your grace running and pooling up.
Father, help each of us forsake the illusion of our “enough-ness.” Free us to declare our dependence on you— “the God who raises the dead.” We aren’t facing Paul’s perils, but July 4th 2023 finds many of us overwhelmed, under-resourced, out of “magic sauce.” Hallelujah for being out of “magic sauce.” May we cry, “Uncle!”, then cry “Abba!”
Thank you for being “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). We need both, as do many of our friends. Together, may we fulfill the “as you help us by your prayers” part of today’s Scripture. So Very Amen.
