Power Made Perfect In Weakness

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Day 5 | Power Made Perfect In Weakness

 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:8, ESV

 

In the Christian life, there are times when you are not sure if you can keep going. There are times when you ask questions of the soul, questions like, "Do I have it takes? Does it really matter? Does God really love me? Does anyone care? How long can I go on?" These are questions of the soul that indicate there is a depletion of power and strength. In these moments, the believer has two options. One he can rely on his own power to muster up the energy and grind it out, despite prayer, despite looking to God's word and other people, you go for it. These people usually burn out.

The Apostle Paul was there; he was weak, and at the end of his rope. For he said:

"For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him, we have set our hope that he will deliver us again." (2 Co 1:8–10). 

Paul's set his hope on God that he will deliver him, that he will save him if not on earth, with a rapture or the return of Christ, but at least with a future resurrection. Paul's hope was solid. He's reassured with God's word here once again. Yet, he needed the power to carry on. His source was not human power, but divine. This is what the Lord said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Co. 12:8)

Paul's perspective was transformed by God's grace and how, in his weakness, God would give him strength. For he writes about his hardships:

"Far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews, the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak?" (2 Co 11:23–29)

Yet he stands strong in saying, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:10) This weakness is a weakness of his own flesh, and this strength is according to God's spirit at work within him. God loves to empower the humble and give them grace while he opposes the proud. (James 4:6).

As well, we see this principle demonstrated in the life of Moses was said to be the most humble man who lived and was said to see God's face. (Numbers. 12:3, Exodus 33:11)  In God's calling of Moses to leadership, Moses' response was one of fear and hesitation.  He said, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue." (Ex 4:10)

Evidently, he had suffered from foot in the mouth disease and likely stuttered as well. Not to mention his anger issues, or being directionally, challenged, which would explain why he would wander the desert for 40 years when it should have taken 9 months.

As a Christian, you must remember that God's dream for your life is to come to terms with your limitations, your weakness, and call out on him. For when you are weak, then you will be strong. Confess your weakness, and ask God's spirit to fill you with the strength that you need to live each day, making the most of every opportunity! For where sin increases, grace abounds. (Romans 5:20)

Take heart and be filled with God's strength today. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you and renew you now.