Today’s Reading, 2 Corinthians 10-13
Focal Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.”
Being weak is usually not seen as something positive. This is especially true when it comes to men in almost every culture. We are taught that men must be tough, never complain, get the job done, and never show any weakness or emotion. Weakness results in ridicule and in most cases disdain from others. This is in the eyes of the world. Biblical weakness is not only needed it is one of the best teachers that both men and women need in their spiritual lives.
In today’s reading Paul is telling the church about what he has gone through. He explains to them that he has a thorn in the flesh and he asked God to take it from him. However, God responded that his grace was sufficient for Paul. It would get him through this struggle he was experiencing. Because Paul was weak, Christ would demonstrate his power in Paul in a tangible way. Paul knew that the weaker he was the more Christ would get the glory.
So how do you view your weakness? As a believer we should embrace our struggles. Why? Because when God does a work we get to boast in him more and more. For instance, right now I have had some struggles and God is doing what only he can do in my life. This allows me to give God the glory. His power is the focus not my weakness. I get to say “look what God is doing in my life!”
If you have a weakness in your life right now, I challenge you to embrace it today. Pray for God to use that weakness to demonstrate his power. Paul knew that it is easy to get the glory yourself when things are going well. Our struggles are to teach us a lesson. They are to teach us that we are dependent on the Lord in everything that we do.
If you are self sufficient you can put yourself in the place of God. That is a dangerous place to be in your faith journey. Embrace your weakness and rely on the Lord to demonstrate his power in your life and be a testimony to others.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Galatians 1-3
