Who Can I Rely On ?

I was reading this missionary guy's account of the stressful conditions surrounding his work in Asia,

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 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, 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."


This happened - that they might not rely on themselves, but on God.

Paul the Apostle wrote that two thousand years ago.
Paul said that God "has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us."

He wrote that in the present tense, that God "has" delivered (rescued) and "will" deliver (continue to) rescue.

WIth such a strong sense of God's immediacy and involvement, its no wonder that Paul said, "On him we have set our hope."
Recognizing the value of his entire community's confidence in God, Paul also encouraged his friends' ongoing Spiritual support..."as you help us by your prayers."

Paul and his friends faced hard, gritty times - scarce food, working multiple jobs, living in tents made by hand, paying taxes to governments rife with corruption and greed. Who says the Bible isn't relevant to our present day world?

"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.
Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
2Corinthians 1:9-11

What do you believe?