(I wrote this devotion some time ago. Not sure why, but I felt led to share it here today. I pray that God's planning on using this to touch someone's heart today.)
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
[sup]7[/sup]To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [sup]8[/sup]Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [sup]9[/sup]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. [sup]10[/sup]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.
Ever wish you could be perfect like Jesus? Ever wish that you had no weaknesses? I know I do. Sin is such a frustrating thing sometimes.... Satan knows where our weaknesses are, so he tempts us in those areas. When he does, we know the temptation is wrong, but it's SO enticing.... and we sin. It's just so irritating sometimes to know what you're supposed to do, but then be unable to do it.
Paul knew about sin and weakness, yet he took a different view on it than most of us. No, he didn't approve of sin that results from our weakness.... but he did gave thanks to God for allowing us to be weak. Seems odd, huh... giving thanks to God for our weaknesses rather than struggling earnestly to overcome the sin that results? Just doesn't make a lot of sense if the goal is to be like Christ.
So what is Paul getting at here? Think about it a little differently. What if we had no weaknesses? What if there were no areas in our lives where we are tempted to sin? If I were like that, I'm afraid I'd become awfully conceited and self-righteous, thinking that I could overcome sin on my own. I'd probably have an attitude like, "God? Bah! Don't need Him... I've got this sin thing whipped." What kind of attitude would that be?
Thinking about things from that perspective, I really believe Paul had it right. Think about it.... God allows us to be weak so that we will have a need for Him! What better way for God to illustrate His power than through His grace? God can save the vilest of sinners -- the individual most separated from God through his sin -- if they simply come to Christ in faith. God can provide the strength needed to do anything.... including overcoming the sin that seems hardest to resist. The key? Reliance on God rather than self.
So, what should we do about our weaknesses? Turn them over to God.... not in frustration or anger, but in faith. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
[sup]7[/sup]To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [sup]8[/sup]Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [sup]9[/sup]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. [sup]10[/sup]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.
Ever wish you could be perfect like Jesus? Ever wish that you had no weaknesses? I know I do. Sin is such a frustrating thing sometimes.... Satan knows where our weaknesses are, so he tempts us in those areas. When he does, we know the temptation is wrong, but it's SO enticing.... and we sin. It's just so irritating sometimes to know what you're supposed to do, but then be unable to do it.
Paul knew about sin and weakness, yet he took a different view on it than most of us. No, he didn't approve of sin that results from our weakness.... but he did gave thanks to God for allowing us to be weak. Seems odd, huh... giving thanks to God for our weaknesses rather than struggling earnestly to overcome the sin that results? Just doesn't make a lot of sense if the goal is to be like Christ.
So what is Paul getting at here? Think about it a little differently. What if we had no weaknesses? What if there were no areas in our lives where we are tempted to sin? If I were like that, I'm afraid I'd become awfully conceited and self-righteous, thinking that I could overcome sin on my own. I'd probably have an attitude like, "God? Bah! Don't need Him... I've got this sin thing whipped." What kind of attitude would that be?
Thinking about things from that perspective, I really believe Paul had it right. Think about it.... God allows us to be weak so that we will have a need for Him! What better way for God to illustrate His power than through His grace? God can save the vilest of sinners -- the individual most separated from God through his sin -- if they simply come to Christ in faith. God can provide the strength needed to do anything.... including overcoming the sin that seems hardest to resist. The key? Reliance on God rather than self.
So, what should we do about our weaknesses? Turn them over to God.... not in frustration or anger, but in faith. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
