8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living. 9 Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again, 11 as you also join in helping us by prayer, so that many people may give thanks to God on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the help of many.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

I’ve read the first chapter of 2 Corinthians many times in my life.  Most especially during the first year that I really experienced sickness which led to having chronic fatigue in my life.  But I never noticed verse 8 before until today.  In this short passage, the apostle Paul explains that he and his ministry team experienced significant hardship in their travels throughout Asia.  Throughout this hardship, even though it was like receiving a death sentence, God delivered them.  But what I didn’t notice until today was Paul’s description of their experience of that hardship. Paul describes it as a “great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired life itself”.  

I can’t say that I have felt many moments in my life like this, but one of them was in the early days of chronic fatigue. I recall an overwhelming sense of helplessness, almost like I had received a death sentence, not being able to move, let alone go for a walk. I don’t think I experienced despair, but I remember thinking that is far beyond what I was ever prepared to endure. In my helplessness, I remember being only able to call out to God, and not much more. Even though I didn’t notice it at the time, when I started to recover, looking at back, I realised that it was only in my utter helplessness that I came to truly depend on God.  Just like what Paul writes in this passage, I too share the same belief that “this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God”.  

As I reflect on this passage, and my time with sickness, I realise and thank God that he too delivered me from great peril.  But the great peril that God has delivered me from wasn't my sickness. The great peril that God has delivered me from was actually my pride.  My pride in thinking that I might work for his kingdom with my own strength, or my own smartness.  Or that somehow I could architecture my own blessings or even righteousness under my own power.  I stand today delivered from that great peril, weak and humbled, reliant on Him, and very thankful.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Congregation.