2 Corinthians 12.99 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

We live in a world where we are taught that power will prevail, the strong will survive, and if you don’t first beat them they will beat you. In the modern-day church we hear far few lessons about the advantage of those who know they are weak, suffering, and utterly dependent and far too many lessons on power, prosperity, and success. It’s like we have taken the lessons offered by the world about how to be a success in life and simply put a theological twist on them.

When Paul penned 2 Corinthians 12:9 he was suffering from some kind of ailment, we have no idea what it was, but it was more than a nuisance, it was tormenting him. If he had asked one of the prosperity preachers of our day they would have told him he needed more faith, but God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  “In weakness?” In weakness! Once Paul understood God’s ways he began to recount all of the things he had suffered which demonstrated just how weak he truly was. In the very next verse he writes,

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. (2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV)

This should lead us to stop and think about our own vulnerabilities, our own weaknesses. What is it you have suffered that has shown you just how frail, weak, and far from confident and strong you really are? Is it a nagging physical or emotional ailment that no doctor can heal? Lay your frail body or mind in the Great Physician’s hands and trust that His grace is sufficient. Is it a troubled marriage or a troubling relationship with your child or your closest friend? Lay that broken relationship in Wonderful Counselor’s hands and trust that His grace is sufficient. Financial troubles? Addiction woes? The list goes on and on, but whatever the weakness…His grace is sufficient if we will place them in His hands.

52 Weeks 52 Verses: Week 32
2 Corinthians 12:9
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