SEPTEMBER 22
POWER MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. (WEB)
In yesterday's blog, I talked about the armor of God and emphasized the importance of being 'strong in the Lord' instead of relying only on our own effort. I finished the blog by referencing today's Scripture reading, which discusses weakness.
If you read 1 Corinthians 12 in its entirety, Paul begins the chapter by describing a remarkable revelation he experienced when he was taken up into heaven. Paul then mentions that he was given a 'thorn in the flesh' to prevent him from becoming conceited. I won't speculate on what this thorn might have been, as I want to focus on the outcome... Paul's revelation of weakness.
We are discussing a man who received the best religious training as a child, was regarded as a Pharisee of Pharisees, and was one of the leading figures of Christianity in his time. When I read his letters, I believe Paul had a strong personality. He was very opinionated and even dared to publicly rebuke the Apostle Peter.
Even with all his own strength, he received a revelation of weakness. When Jesus appeared to Paul and told him... “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul had a revelation... that his own strength was hindering him. He went on to declare that it was during his greatest moments of weakness that he was truly strong.
My prayer today is that we all realize that when we are weak, Christ's strength is made perfect in us. May our own strength not hinder the power of our Elder Brother that rests on weak vessels. I believe that is why Jesus said the Kingdom belongs to little children: they acknowledge their own weaknesses and depend on their parents to be strong for them.
Luke 18:15-17
They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” (WEB)
By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. (WEB)
In yesterday's blog, I talked about the armor of God and emphasized the importance of being 'strong in the Lord' instead of relying only on our own effort. I finished the blog by referencing today's Scripture reading, which discusses weakness.
If you read 1 Corinthians 12 in its entirety, Paul begins the chapter by describing a remarkable revelation he experienced when he was taken up into heaven. Paul then mentions that he was given a 'thorn in the flesh' to prevent him from becoming conceited. I won't speculate on what this thorn might have been, as I want to focus on the outcome... Paul's revelation of weakness.
We are discussing a man who received the best religious training as a child, was regarded as a Pharisee of Pharisees, and was one of the leading figures of Christianity in his time. When I read his letters, I believe Paul had a strong personality. He was very opinionated and even dared to publicly rebuke the Apostle Peter.
Even with all his own strength, he received a revelation of weakness. When Jesus appeared to Paul and told him... “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul had a revelation... that his own strength was hindering him. He went on to declare that it was during his greatest moments of weakness that he was truly strong.
My prayer today is that we all realize that when we are weak, Christ's strength is made perfect in us. May our own strength not hinder the power of our Elder Brother that rests on weak vessels. I believe that is why Jesus said the Kingdom belongs to little children: they acknowledge their own weaknesses and depend on their parents to be strong for them.
Luke 18:15-17
They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” (WEB)