2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (NRSV)
Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 2I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. Verse 3And I know that such a person-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows- Verse 4was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. Verse 5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Verse 6But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, Verse 7even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Verse 8Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, Verse 9but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Verse 10Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Devotion
The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” What a strange thing to say in a world obsessed with power of all kinds!
However, if you have experienced it, you know it is true. I burned out at age forty from working too hard. I lost my power. I lost my self-confidence. I had to examine myself and what I had been doing. I had to change my lifestyle. And I had to spend an hour and a half each morning in prayer and meditation. I was dependent on God's power to simply keep going.
It was the most important thing that had ever happened to me. I learned what it is to trust God. Like Paul, I learned to be content with weakness, because when I am weak then I am strong.
Prayer
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for being our strength. Help us not to despise our weaknesses but in them to turn to you and trust our lives to your power. Amen.