2 Corinthians 12:7b …Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Verse 9, where Paul declares that he boasts gladly of his weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon him, reminds me of James 1:2, where we are encouraged to “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds….” Boasting in weakness, celebrating in trails–both seem counter to the way things should be done.
2 Corinthians 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
But Christ was often One to turn things upside down from the normal order. Paul, among others, points that out many times. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 3:19, he says, “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God….” So why does Christ remind us that His grace is sufficient, His power is made perfect in weakness? I think it is to remind us that if we depend on ourselves, on this world, we will be overcome. Every. Single. Time.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Lord, Thank You for the reminder that if we root ourselves in You, if we recognize our weakness, that Your power will rest upon us, and we can, with You, overcome the troubles of the world. With You, the worst thing is never the last thing. With You, we can find both celebration in trials and joy in weakness. Thank You that You don’t play by the world’s rules. Amen.
2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Have a blessed day. I love you.