CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 the Apostle Paul gives additional reasoning for his boasting, not in himself, but in Christ Jesus. In his ministry, and more in his physical life, Paul confesses that he has had a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7, NKJV). What exactly this “thorn in the flesh” was is not disclosed, but it was a physical challenge for Paul and to the extent that he “pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me” as he states in 2 Corinthians 12:8. But the Lord replied to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). With this reply from the Lord, Paul dramatically changes his position on this “thorn in the flesh” and states in 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ my rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
This is a promise that in our weaknesses, Christ Jesus will strengthen us through our faith in Him.
What exactly does this passage mean in the Lord’s statement to the Apostle Paul of, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)? This requires an act of humility and obedience to the Lord Jesus with an understanding that we, in and of ourselves, are lacking and are in need of Him to help us in our quest for righteousness; that we, in and of ourselves are not righteous nor can we obtain righteousness by our own merit. The Bible teaches us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” In Proverbs 3:5-6 we learn,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own
Understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”
When we are weak, and trust in the Lord Jesus to help us, and we call on Him, He then has the door open to show Himself to us – to our hearts and to our lives – that He loves us and desires to help us. But without hearing from us – without us trusting in Him and calling out to Him, that door remains closed. God calls us to Him, but it is up to us if we will answer the call and open the door of our hearts to Him, that He may then make us strong. We must become weak in trusting ourselves before we can become strong in the Lord. It is an acknowledgement of our need for Jesus in our lives that is our weakness; it is His acknowledgement of our calling out to Him for help that makes us strong. Jesus proclaims in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Dear LORD,
Please help us to realize and understand that it is our own will that must be broken before we can truly put our trust and faith in You. It is an understanding of our need for You in our lives – in our hearts that brings on true salvation in Christ Jesus as we profess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that You have raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Please help us LORD to put our weaknesses in Your hands. In Jesus name I pray, amen.