My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Our Lord gave the apostle Paul a “thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7); no doubt the enemy delighted in messing with Paul’s ministry. Scripture does not reveal what that “thorn” really was, but we are told a few other things about the significance of it. First, the thorn, whatever it really was, was given to Paul to keep him from becoming conceited over the “surpassingly great revelations” he had received from God. Second, we know that Paul pleaded with the Lord to take it away — not once, but three times. God’s answer to this prayer was “No.” Finally, we read God’s reply to Paul’s prayer, which is our verse for today: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
This is what I call the “Witness of Weakness.” Instead of delivering Paul from his painful affliction, God chose to demonstrate His omnipotent power in and through Paul. Think about it this way: God delights in displaying His power through weak people like you and me. Paul was forced to depend wholly on God in order to fulfill his calling in ministry. And the same is true for you and me! Weakness drives us into the presence of God, and we must trust in Him to give us all we need to do all He is calling us to do.
Here’s the all-important question: Do we allow our weakness to bear witness to the awesome power and care of our Lord Jesus in our lives? When we believe that we are strong in our own abilities and resources, we have a tendency to work in our own strength, in our way, and in our time, which can lead to sinful pride. But when we are weak, we have no choice but to ask God to fill us to the overflowing with His Power and His Grace to bear witness to His glory.
Are you feeling weak today? That’s a good thing! Let your weakness bear witness to the perfect power of your Great God and Savior.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 