2 Corinthians 12 - 04.06.23

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

“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.”

OBSERVATION:

Paul is writing his second letter to the Corinthian Church to address several concerns. In this passage Paul directly confronts the accusations made by the false teachers who challenged his apostleship. In so doing, Paul opens up about an experience from fourteen years prior where God permitted him entrance into Heaven. Paul heard the ‘language of Paradise” and understood it. A language he was not allowed to repeat upon his return.

God honored Paul with many supernatural experiences—visions, revelations, angel visitations—but being transported into Heaven!!! How does someone begin to comprehend that experience?

In God’s wisdom—to prevent Paul from becoming prideful—Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh”. We don’t know exactly what this thorn was and it is foolish to speculate. What we do know is that it afflicted Paul causing challenges—and he prayed three times for it to be removed.

God’s response… “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made PERFECT in weakness.”

APPLICATION:

Embrace—no—BOAST…in your weakness!

God’s POWER is made PERFECT in our weakness.

If God allows a weakness in our lives—a so-called “Thorn in our Flesh” could it be that God desires to DO something miraculous THROUGH us?

God’s POWER is made PERFECT in our weakness.

We can have reason to rejoice—IF we, like Paul, view this as an opportunity for God’s POWER to be at work in our lives.

The word “Power” comes from the word dunamis—meaning God’s Miraculous Power—for Marvelous Works.

“In conclusion, be strong IN the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.” (Ephesians 6:10 AMP)

PRAYER

Dearest LORD Jesus,

Thank you for Your Grace-which is an unending supply to meet EVERY single need-even BEFORE we know the need ourselves. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit-whose Power is Beyond human comprehension. Forgive my doubt and my times of unbelief. I’m so thankful for Your Word that is a constant encouragement to bring new life and new revelation. I look to the future with exciting expectations of Your Power working IN my weakness—and all the more to Boast in You and Your Love and Glorious strength manifest In me. Here I am Lord, send me.

Tina L Kudelka