My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Wow, I am still struggling to understand and embrace my weaknesses. It takes courage to look at them. It takes courage and humility to admit the weaknesses are there. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12: 9 three times, I pleaded with the Lord to relieve me of this. But He answered me, “My grace is always enough for you,” and my power finds full expression through your weakness”. Even though we don’t clearly know or understand Paul’s thorn or weakness, we know he did, and so did the Lord. He took the time to ask the Lord three times for it to be removed, and he finally came to a place of peace concerning it. The Passion Translation goes on to say, So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I am weak, I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. Learning to lean on the Lord, acknowledging our weakness, gives us the opportunity to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, not our own power and ability. Every weakness is a opportunity to release this power to work in and through us.
This past week has been busy. I started teaching astronomy and health to 4 of my grandchildren, plus our Life Group began a new study with new people! My son and his wife took a Covid delayed 10th anniversary get a way, so I helped with their children as well. Other projects popped up and let just say it’s been a full week. My “thorn” during this season seems to be tiredness. The things on my to do list were not budging. My solution: to begin the day talking to the Lord about it and thanking Him for the strength I needed to not only do the tasks, but to do it cheerfully and with strength. I was able to accomplish even more than I “felt” like I could do.
The scriptures continue with Paul writing, So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted. (2 Corinthians 12:10). I admit after I acknowledged my need for Him, I was blessed and excited about how I had the energy I needed to love on my grandchildren as they needed. When was the last time you felt delighted by your weakness? I admit I came home and rested! But the patience, grace and focus I needed was there when I needed it. Paul continues: For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded by troubles on every side and face persecution, because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger.For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.
I know my “weakness” is so small compared to all the troubles and trials Paul faced, but when I stopped being frustrated by it, admitted it and then asked for help, I could complete my godly assignment. What I love about God’s grace is that it is sufficient for both the bigs and the smalls of life. It doesn’t matter. It is accessible for all things. All we have to do is position ourselves to receive it. That positioning includes the admission of our weakness to Him. Releasing our faith that when we ask, we receive. Then we allow that gracious provision to show up as He deems. It may be through help from others or the courage to tackle the job ourselves, but it will show up in a way that will show forth His power and grace, giving Him the glory, and isn’t that what we want to do with our lives?
Maybe you need His grace to overcome resentment, bitterness, or other works of the flesh, as described in Galatians 5:19. His grace is available to you. Perhaps you struggle with addictions or feelings of unworthiness. His grace is available to you. Ephesians 2:8-8 declares For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. We began our journey by faith because of the grace of God, and it is the only way we can continue. Do not short change the grace of God and your need for it in your life. It is the only way to live, relying on Him and His ways. You stumble, rely on His grace to forgive and then get back up and rely on it to keep you walking straight. It is incredible, this gift of grace we have been given–don’t let it go to waste in your life. Access it every day in every way. Your life will improve!
Father, I thank you for your amazing grace. It’s so abundant. You never run out of it. Help us to rely on You and Your strength every day. You love it when we do. It brings you glory and joy. Teach us to rely on You even more. In Jesus Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 