TRUSTING IN GOD

Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us (2 Corinthians 1:9-10).

Have you ever done a job or participated in a sport for so long until you became quite good at it? If so, then you probably gained a confidence in your knowledge, abilities, and skills in that area. After having walked with the Lord for a period of time, if we are not careful, we can assume a similar type of confidence, a confidence that may cause us to trust in ourselves rather than in the Lord.

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he describes situations designed to prevent such an attitude from taking root or to bring an end to it if it is already prevalent. He begins by saying, “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” (2 Cor. 1:8).  Many of us have faced or are presently facing trials that cause us to despair even of life. Whether our reaction is unwarranted or not, our reality is fraught with despair. These scriptures remind us that our trust should always be in God and not in ourselves. In Paul’s situation, the great lesson for the brethren is that the Lord allowed difficulties so great and beyond their abilities to rescue themselves that their only source and hope were in the Lord. Is it like that with you? Are the difficulties in your life so great that you cannot rescue yourself? Rejoice if your help can come only from the One Who loves you most!

Paul explains that the Lord had caused the sentence of death to be pronounced in them that they might learn not to trust in themselves, but in God who raises the dead.  The Lord, undaunted by death, is the only one who can raise the dead! It is He who delivers them from death, and, likewise, He alone is the One who is able to rescue us from our present trials and deaths. 

Our death-like situations will always have the upper hand in our lives until we die to them and allow the Lord, Who raises the dead, to raise us out of our death-like situations, thus manifesting the victory He has already gained for us! As the psalmist declares, “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You” (Psalm 9:10).