Thursday, July 14, 2012
2 Corinthians 12:10 When I am weak, then I am strong.
RELY ON GOD'S STRENGTH AND HIS GRACE
The Lord told Paul, and tell us: "My strength is made perfect [is made complete] in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Only when we acknowledge our helplessness before God are we ready to receive His help. When we can't do something and turn to the LORD, God will see to it in a way that is different and better then we could have imagined.
Because of this benefit of our weaknesses we, like the Apostle Paul, do what sounds crazy: "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Sounds strange, but it's true. The trials that we go through in this life build true Christian character.
Romans 5 proclaims: "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." When you hear that something is going to "build character," you know it isn't going to be much fun. In the long run, though, it truly is for your good.
If you feel like a burden is getting to be too much, you may certainly ask God to remove it, but with the understanding "Thy will be done." The thorn in the flesh was not removed from Paul even though he asked three times. It was there for his betterment. In the same way Jesus asked for His cup of suffering to be removed. Again that would not be the case. It was not God's will. Rely on God's strength, His grace, and His wisdom.
