Reliance on God and His Body

“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. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” (II Corinthians 1:8-11 NIV)

It is interesting in this passage that Paul writes of needing to be dependent on God, which somehow also involves help from the prayers of others.  How does that work?  It would seem that to be totally dependent on God excludes dependence on everyone else.

Perhaps the key is found in I Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”  Thus we’re not really being dependent on other people when we ask for help through prayer, but on the Lord Himself through their prayers.

But let’s be honest, most of us are not in the habit of naturally relying on God or others.  Our usual bent is to be self-sufficient, like the four-year-old who says, “I can do it myself!”  Somehow, in our minds, needing help implies weakness.  So we don’t ask for help; we just plow ahead, pretending we have everything under control.  But the Lord knows different; He knows we need help because He created us to be dependent on Him.  Our fallenness is revealed when we seek instead to rely on ourselves.  

So God often uses circumstances to drive home the point that we are dependent on Him.  An illness, a tragedy, a dangerous or traumatic situation; anything that will make us fully aware of our dependence on Him.  For Paul it was threats on his life.  And when we find ourselves in the midst of these situations, we begin to understand our need for the Lord and His body.  

Today, recognize your total dependence on the Lord.  Do not hesitate to lean on Him and the prayers of His body.  

© Jim Musser 2016