God, Who Raises the Dead
July 30, 2013
Have you ever felt like dying would be easier than living? So scared of facing this life that the fear of death paled by comparison?
I have. Maybe that sounds dramatic, but I'm guessing there are others out there who have felt the same way. Maybe there's someone who feels that way right now.
Plenty of counselors would be quick to tell us that this is sinful. And probably at points it is. It is no doubt evidence of the corruption in the world, and of that corruption deeply affecting me.
The Apostle Paul knew this kind of corruption. He wrote to the Corinthians:
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.
But that was to make us rely not in ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (2 Cor 1:8-9)
God, who raises the dead.
I don't know if everyone experiences such burden in life, this kind that is so beyond your strength that you despair of life itself. But I'm guessing more of us do than admit it. Maybe we should admit it. Maybe like Paul we should want our brothers to be aware of our affliction. Sometimes our brothers could help bear our burden. Other times our brothers are sharing with us in the affliction, and together there is little to do but feel the weakness of being unable to rely on ourselves.
In those raw, real moments we face evil. And God is present. We face that final enemy, death. And we may be nearer to God in that moment than any other.
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me," said David. God is with me. He is our help. In those moments, whether by yourself or with brothers, lift your eyes. God is present. God, who raises the dead.
