Daily Verse: 2 Corinthians 1:9-10

Indeed, in our hearts we felt 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. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

A very common question in our world is “Why does God allow bad things to happen in our lives?” Why are we allowed to go through prolonged, agonizing battles with disease? Why are we allowed to go through periods of financial struggle, unemployment, and hunger? Why are we allowed to endure crippling sorrow with the destruction of a relationship or the death of a loved one? The answer is surely a mystery as we are unable to nail down a definitive reason for the battleground that we inhabit. But perhaps the text above provides a window into God’s thinking. Perhaps we are “allowed” to go through struggles, difficulty, and hardship because there is something to be learned by the experience. Perhaps our journey through the fire makes us stronger, reinforced, and  better equipped for the next sunrise. But not in the sense that we stand stronger on our own two feet, secure in our independence. But rather that we have learned that we are not to stand on our own…we are not meant to enter the arena alone relying on our own defenses. We are meant to rely on the living God…the “5 ton Gorilla” standing in the corner, itching to be unleashed and put into action. There is simply no greater source of wisdom, strength, courage, security, and endurance than what is found in our Lord! As we enter the battlefield today, may we take the time to pause and prayerfully request God’s hand by our side…a hand to guide and reinforce our path ahead…and patiently trust the impact that He makes in our lives. To God be the glory!