god’s grace perfect in weakness

Too often, we pride ourselves on accomplishments; those accomplishments deceive us into believing we cause ourselves to succeed. But it is in our weaknesses God’s grace is made perfect. 

     A familiar conversation with a friend about my last marriage caused me to make decisions for self-preservation. Condemnation entered my mind and heart because that marriage was marriage number three. As I thought about this weakness, I began to pray in tongues. See, my fault was I just wanted to be loved, and I wanted to believe the best of the man that said he loved me. Regardless of his past, who doesn’t have a history? No, matter how many times I have thought about my unwise decisions to marry. I couldn’t pardon myself. Sure, I know Jesus loves me! And I am heaven bound, but my thinking always brought me to the same place of unrest. But this time, the Holy Spirit reminded me of God’s grace is sufficient for me, for God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. I remembered the Lord said this to Apostle Paul. As I meditated: when I am weak. He is my strength, 2Corinthians 12:9. My first thought was, why pretend I am strong, and I got it all together when I don’t need too? The weakness of searching for love cause God’s grace to be sufficient. For the first time, I wasn’t condemning myself, but glorying in the power of Christ may rest on me! The comfort this revelation brought was relieving. God has brought me out; Jesus has paid the cost-priceless!        

     Today’s society promotes the idea that a defect is not a strength. Still, the Bible God’s word for the believer says 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul said I, therefore, take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Take pleasure in challenges? A foreign concept when you think what am I going to do? But the battle, whatever it is, is the Lords 2 Chronicles 20:15. Position yourself, which is praying, and know that God hears you and will answer your prayers. There is nothing you can ask for that is greater than what He has already given the finished works of Jesus Christ at the cross.   

      The Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 12:7-9 sought the Lord three times concerning a thorn in the flesh. Now the Bible doesn’t give great detail about this thorn in his flesh. But since Paul talks about a pain in his flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted, not to think highly of myself. 

The Amplified Bible version of the Bible 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 gives me a picture I can embrace. Three times, Paul sought the Lord and begged that this thorn in his flesh would depart. But He, the Lord said to Paul My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]: for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [you’re] weakness; therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

I can relax and rest in the Lord, and so can you! Jesus loves you!            

Grace Mills