ARE YOU FEELING WEAK AND POWERLESS?

SCRIPTURE:
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. 
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

MEDITATION:
Paul was a man who was in constant contact and fellowship with the Lord.
Consequently, he had a much better understanding 
of His ways than many others did.
He had concerns for the people in the church at Corinth 
and through his letters,he encouraged them to develop 
the same relationship with the Lord that he had.

He knew that many in the church 
struggled with understanding the message of the cross.
Some of them perceived preaching of the cross as foolishness.
Through their human reasoning, they viewed Christ’s death on the cross 
as a sign of weakness, and did not consider it 
something expected from a Messiah.

They could not wrap their mind around the fact that 
the One condemned as a criminal was actually the innocent Son of God.
The Jews were practical people and they wanted something they could see.
The Greeks were thinkers 
and wanted to reason things out in order to understand.
God’s plan for salvation was strategically planned 
so that not one person could boast about anything they had done to earn it.

We can see the challenge Paul had 
when trying to communicate important spiritual messages to the Corinthians.
As a result, 
he would often use himself as an example to emphasize his points.
He wanted them to understand that God could provide everything he needed.

Paul’s dependence on the Lord 
prevented him from boasting about his service to the Lord.
To highlight his point, he told them how God could show His power 
through those who depended on the Lord, 
and not through those who were independent of the Lord.

Since God could show His power through man’s weakness, Paul said 
if he was going to brag about anything, it would be about his weaknesses.
Why would he do that?
Because it showed his humility, but more importantly, 
he knew that through his weakness, God would show His power.

God is close to us when we are lying on a sickbed. 
He freshens our environment with His presence and with His tender care. 
He wipes away our tears and minsters to us 
with a special tenderness that reveals His great love for us.
Sometimes we suffer weaknesses, so He can show us His strength.

ACTION:
How does God show His power through you?
Do you show your humility through your dependence on Him?
What do you have a tendency to brag about?
Is it your accomplishments, your home, your job, your car, 
having the best of everything, your education, etc.?
Anything and everything you have is from God – never forget that!

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the right perspective about my 
weaknesses. Help me to be thankful for them, rather than feeling mistreated. 
Teach me to relate everything as being associated with You, instead of 
myself. When I am blessed through serving You, never let me forget that You 
give me the tools and talent for serving You. When times of tribulation come, 
help me to glory in them for Your sake. Remind me that You will bring 
something good out of what may seem bad to me at the time.”