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. 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 1:8-9, NW
If you have ever been a conduit of God’s power, then you understand why Paul said, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God (2 Corinthians 1:9). You see, child of God, there’s no healing for the hurting, lonely, and desperate- but God. There’s no turning point for human depravity- but God. There’s no deliverance from addiction and heartache- but God. There’s no solution to war, prejudice and injustice- but God. There’s nothing that can fill the emptiness of the human heart- but God. It is not our talent or ability. It is not our strength or creativity. It is the power of God flowing through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary results.
God has always done more with less than men thought possible. It seems to be a pattern with God. He chooses the most unlikely to accomplish the unthinkable with the least amount of resources. Listen, you would already be a statistic to the enemy’s schemes if it weren’t for God. Be encouraged: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV
