2 Corinthians 12:
7 So that I would not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me, a painful physical problem was given to me.
This problem was a messenger from Satan, sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud.
8 I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me.
9 But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you."
So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me.
(New Century Bible)
It is amazing that the power of Christ can really be seen at its best in us humans, only when we cannot put on our best presentation of ourselves! These are the times when the wonderful grace of God takes us through and brings glory to the Lord.
This is what the Apostle Paul said about his life:
2 Corinthians 11:
24 Five times the Jews have given me their punishment of thirty-nine lashes with a whip.
25 Three different times I was beaten with rods.
One time I was almost stoned to death.
Three times I was in ships that wrecked,
and one of those times I spent a night and a day in the sea.
26 I have gone on many travels and have been in danger from rivers, thieves, my own people, the Jews, and those who are not Jews.
I have been in danger in cities, in places where no one lives, and on the sea.
And I have been in danger with false Christians.
27 I have done hard and tiring work, and many times I did not sleep.
I have been hungry and thirsty,
and many times I have been without food.
I have been cold and without clothes.
28 Besides all this, there is on me every day the load of my concern for all the churches.
(New Century Bible)
These were some of the times when Paul certainly couldn't present himself at his best, and yet these were the occasions when the power of Christ was probably most alive in him - the times when the wonderful grace of God took him through these difficulties.
Prayer:
Father, today we thank You that whenever, because we have chosen to walk with You, our own dignity is lacking, then Your wonderful grace is there to take us through the difficulty we are facing.
We praise You, Lord, for Your all-sufficient grace which is upon our lives today,
in Jesus' name,
Amen.
See you tomorrow, God willing,
when you'll find a new thought here to challenge you!
Meanwhile, have a great day walking with the Lord!
