God’s Word to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." Paul writes in a humble boast – not boasting of his own great power and skill, but in the wonder of God working great deeds through him, even in his weakness, his limited ability. Paul speaks of a visions of heaven that someone (likely Paul) had experienced – These wonderful visions are likely God’s revelations to him during his times of greatest weakness. Today, we marvel of stories of people who have died and have been revived who report wondrous visions of light and beauty in the presence of God. In 2 Corinthians, Paul recounts numerous times when he was tortured, whipped to the point of near-death. Perhaps in these, his times of greatest weakness, he experienced the presence of God, visions of heaven in very special ways that gave him the encouragement to carry on despite his “thorn in the flesh,” his weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, for in those times of greatest weakness he was more aware of the tremendous power of God that gives us true strength. We all have imperfections, flaws, and “thorns in the flesh,” that we would like to hide, complain about, or hold up as an excuse from doing what God is calling us to do. Paul however, calls for us to boast in our weaknesses, for in weakness, in the posture of humility, we can most appreciate and have confidence in the one who reminds us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 1It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3And I know that such a person — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows — 4was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:47:18 +0000
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