Hope

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

“8 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, 11 as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

Other than this passage, there is no other information in the New Testament about the experience in Asia that Paul is referring to.  It was obviously a terrible experience, one in which he and those with him feared for their lives.  In the end, it was not through their own power and actions that they were rescued, but the power of God through the prayers of many.

Paul’s suffering had served to show others the power of prayer and their dependence on God.

Our prosperity today causes us to think that we can handle anything that comes our way.  It has given us a false sense of security.  We feel we are capable of handling life without God.   Abraham Lincoln once said “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”

It is important that we recognize our need for God and the power of prayer, not just as a last resort, but as our hope in all of life.

“O God, our help in ages past,  our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home”. (O God, Our Help in Ages Past, UMH p. 117)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)