2 Corinthians 12:9 - Power in Weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 - Power in Weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) My grace is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness.
CONTEXT
Paul's Vision and His Thorn: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.
Just as God permitted Satan to test Job (Job 1-2) and Peter
(Luke 22:31-34), so He permitted Satan to attack Paul. God wanted to
keep Paul humble after his exciting visit to heaven. In the loving
will of God, suffering has a purpose that can be fulfilled in no
other way. Accept it, and it will become a heavenly blessing; fight
it, and it will become a heavy burden..... Like our Lord in Gethsemane
(Matt. 26:44), Paul prayed three times for God to deliver him; but the
Lord did not answer that prayer as Paul wanted. However, God did meet
the need and gave His servant the grace he required. Paul did not
simply make the best of it--he made the most of it. Grace can do that
for you. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
The first gunshot heard at many ten-kilometer races and
marathons is not for runners but for wheelchair racers. These people have
taken what many would consider a disadvantage and turned it into an
asset. They have taken one of life's setbacks and have turned it into a
major victory.
Like wheelchair racers, Paul, too, has a physical
disadvantage. He never really explains what it is, but we can tell from what
he says that it is painful and crippling. Paul does not let this
condition overcome him, however. Instead, he counts it to his advantage.
As you read, think of your "limitations" and how you can turn them
into strengths for Christ's sake.
Today, it is not easy to find someone so willing to boast
about a personal weakness as Paul was. That is because weaknesses are
seen as liabilities, not assets. But God sees the situation exactly
the opposite. When we are strong and confident in our abilities, we
may never notice our need for God. However, when we are weak and
incapable, we may realize our need for him.
Have you ever felt weak? Your human frailty whether
physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual gives God an opportunity to
display his power in your life. Admit your weaknesses, and rely on God's
power to be effective in those areas. Thank him for your talent, but
thank him also for your weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). They will
help you develop Christian character, accomplish God's work, and
deepen your worship. [The One Year Through the Bible Devotional by Dave
Veerman re vv. 12:6-10]
COMMENTARY
Here is recorded one of the greatest spiritual truths in all of
Scripture: God's strength is made perfect (complete, mature) in our
weakness. Verse 10 expresses it again in summary fashion: "For when I am
weak, then I [through Christ's power] am strong." [Believer's SB]
Jesus had taught his disciples this principle years before: "I
am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in
them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing" (John
15:5 NRSV). It is only when believers remain in Christ and rely on
Christ's power that they become truly effective. (Life Application
Commentary)
He has been called "God of the gaps" by those who suggest
humanity needs a deity only when we can't explain mysteries. The
assumption is that as science increases our understanding, the need to
believe in God decreases - and that one day we will have enough natural
explanations not to need a deity at all. While that approach is superficial
and that sort of "God of the gaps" is a completely unnecessary
reduction of His role, we can certainly embrace another sense of the term.
In the gaps of our lives, we need Him desperately.
We can believe in a God of our own gaps. In fact, that's
where He shows up in power most often. Wherever we're needy, broken,
and weak, that's where He rises up in strength to provide, repair,
and defend. While we try to cover up our vulnerabilities and
establish our strength, He waits for us to realize how incapable we are
without Him. When we're finally at the end of our rope, that's when He
is finally able to act without anyone mistaking His victories for
our self-effort. He loves to fill feeble vessels with divine
strength. His Presence attends our weakness.
Present your weakness to God. Do the same with your lack and
your brokenness. Whatever gaps you have, let God fill them with His
strength, His provision, and His healing. He is glorified far more in the
deserts and valleys of our lives than in the gardens and peaks. That's
good news for us because we have far more deserts and valleys to
offer Him than gardens and peaks. He welcomes that - and promises to
fill those places with Himself.
Lord, I have plenty of weakness to give You. You know the
cracks and crevices of my life, the fault lines and frailties that keep
me feeling insufficient. But You are my sufficiency and my
strength. I depend on You. Please step into my gaps with Yourself and Your
help. [The One Year Experiencing God's Presence Devotional by Chris
Tiegreen]
I am a mighty God. Nothing is too difficult for Me. I have
chosen to use weak ones like you to accomplish My purposes. Your
weakness is designed to open you up to My Power. Therefore, do not fear
your limitations or measure the day's demands against your strength.
What I require of you is to stay connected to Me, living in trusting
dependence on My limitless resources. When you face unexpected demands,
there is no need to panic. Remember that I am with you. Talk with Me,
and listen while I talk you through each challenging situation.
I am not a careless God. When I allow difficulties to come
into your life, I equip you fully to handle them. Relax in My
Presence, trusting in My Strength. (Luke 1:37; 2 Cor. 12:9) [Jesus Calling
by Sarah Young]
Let Me fill you with my Love, Joy, and Peace. These are
Glory-gifts, flowing from my living Presence. Though you are an earthen
vessel, I designed you to be filled with heavenly contents. Your
weakness is not a deterrent to being filled with My Spirit; on the
contrary, it provides an opportunity for My Power to shine forth more
brightly.
As you go through this day, trust Me to provide the strength
that you need moment by moment. Don't waste energy wondering whether
you are adequate for today's journey. My Spirit within you is more
than sufficient to handle whatever this day may bring. That is the
basis for your confidence! In quietness (spending time alone with Me)
and confident trust (relying on My sufficiency) is your strength. (2
Cor. 4:7; Isa. 30:15) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
When some basic need is lacking - time, energy, money -
consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto
Me in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate
resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment. This is
where you are meant to live - in the present; it is the place where I
always await you. Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing,
training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me.
The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by
pride and temporary success. Health and wealth can disappear
instantly, as can life itself. Rejoice in your insufficiency, knowing that
My Power is made perfect in weakness. (James 1:2; 2 Cor. 12:9)
[Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Do not worry about tomorrow! This is not a suggestion, but a
command. I divided time into days and nights, so that you would have
manageable portions of life to handle. My grace is sufficient for you. but
its sufficiency is for only one day at a time. When you worry about
the future, you heap day upon day of troubles onto your flimsy
frame. You stagger under this heavy load, which I never intended you to
carry.
Throw off this oppressive burden with one quick thrust of
trust. Anxious thoughts meander about and crisscross in your brain, but
trusting Me brings you directly into My Presence. As you thus affirm your
faith, shackles of worry fall off instantly. Enjoy My Presence
continually by trusting Me at all times. (Mat. 6:34; 2Co. 12:9; Psa. 62:8)
[Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
The verse "MY grace IS sufficient for YOU" was framed and
hanging on the wall. The word "is" was highlighted in bright green,
while the words "my" and "you" were painted in yet another color. In a
moment, a message flashed straight to my soul, coming as a rebuke for
having prayed such a prayer as, "Lord, make Your grace sufficient for
me." His answer was almost an audible voice that said, "How dare you
ask for something that is? I cannot make My grace any more
sufficient than I have already made it. Get up and believe it, and you will
find it to be true in your life."
The Lord says it in the simplest way: "My grace is [not will
be or may be] sufficient for you." The words "my," "is," and "you"
were from that moment indelibly written upon my heart. And
thankfully, I have been trying to live in the reality of that truth from
that day to the present time.
The underlying lesson that came to me through this
experience, and that I seek to convey to others, is this: Never change God's
facts into hopes or prayers but simply accept them as realities, and
you will find them to be powerful as you believe them. H. W. Webb
Peploe [Streams In The Desert By Cowman]
"God uses failure, sickness, breakdown, sin, personal tragedy,
and sorrow to reduce His people to usefulness. Unless the servant of
God learns to depend utterly on God and to forsake self-dependence
of any kind, he or she remains too strong to be of much value."
Robert C. Girard [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all
things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a
real blessing shall ultimately spring--that their God will either work
a deliverance for them speedily, or most assuredly support them in
the trouble, Charles H. Spurgeon
CONCLUDING MUSICAL CLIP
YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iPIi7sunEU
GodTube version: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WK7ZLPNX
DailyMotion version:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xte6xp_bill-gloria-gaither-no-more-night-feat-david-phelps-live_music
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100911-1524.html
GREAT VIDEO CLIP - ONE OF THE BEST
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
SPECIAL VIDEO CLIP ON SEEKING GOD FIRST
http://vimeo.com/31489782
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:
http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/
EXCELLENT SERIES ON RESTORING THE POWER by John Bradshaw
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
EXCELLENT BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES - Prophecies Decoded By Dr. Ron
Clouzet:
1. Coming Soon: A New Superpower -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTcZ-oQGWUw
2. 2012 and Signs of the End of the World -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVgTGGGO33c
3. Armageddon and the Seven Last Plagues -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcFPUq2JAiU
4. War in Heaven Between Michael and the Dragon -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGnb54Qo_Lg
5. Revelation's Three Angels' Messages -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msy6mZLQ7EA
6. The Lamb Slain and the Seven Seals -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xdpQdli9J0
7. A New Revelation of Jesus Christ -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b2IwriWwY0
8. The Anti-Christ and the Cults that Follow Him -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDKzf5Z6VPQ
9. In Search of the Ark of the Covenant -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc6IM9cm2SU
10. The Greatest Issue in the Book of Revelation, Part 1 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLQbWSpTUXs
11. The Greatest Issue in the Book of Revelation, Part II -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQr_DHJYMc
12. How to Keep God's Holy Day, Part 1 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX5HtCx90oY
13. How to Keep God's Holy Day, Part 2 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPR5Pu8_1rM
14. Taking a Stand at the Time of the End -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7caCWSrpGU4
15. The Longest Time Prophecy in the Bible -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvAsJGlmrmE
16. Doctrines of Demons and the Mystery of Death -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJHE1cyLlcY
17. The Fall of Babylon the Great -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O70xfBDKxVQ
18. The Mark of the Beast and the Seal of God -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqm1xgG9NuM
19. Israel and the Rapture of the Church -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMZhsKEzPPA
20. The United States in Bible Prophecy -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6-umijrrKI
21. The Beauty and the Beast of Revelation -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2cLfTDQyQg
22. The Remnant's Use of Time, Treasure, and Talent -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CMdmIIHCUY
23. The One Thousand Year Millennium -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFbu9WsSK0Y
24. Revelation's Lake of Fire -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DccBQcLZGso
25. Heaven and the Apocalypse -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiXDN9_d0Mw
26. A Messenger for the Last Days -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSAgxCcNSqM
27. Christian Standards for Today -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFHCFFoRw98
28. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiwYeGKQg58
