“This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead…” 2 Cor. 1:9
Heavenly Father, we are grateful Paul, our “apostle of grace,” is also our model of humility and dependence. Self-reliance is bad religion with a growing horde of worshippers. Declaring our independence is much more “fun” than owning our limits, needing rescue, and abandoning ourselves to your provision.
Paul had no need to be omni-competent or impressive. This lover of God was utterly dependent on the God he loved. Father, we want to be more like Paul. So, on this 4th day of July, 2021, we forsake the illusion of our sufficiency and “enough-ness,” and cast ourselves on you— “the God who raises the dead.”
We’re not facing deadly perils (like Paul), but we are walking in stories with unclear endings, situations that stretch our faith, and relationships which exhaust our resources. Our to-do lists are longer than our days, and longer than you intend. Being poured out is a Gospel-thing; being burned out is a foolish thing.
Grant us wisdom to choose better, resolve to live quieter, grace to be kinder. Thank you for being “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.” We need both. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ powerful and grace-full name.
