“But He said to me,
‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” II Corinthians 12:9 (ESV).
This statement by Paul the Apostle is
often quoted as an encouragement to those who deal with personal problems or
weaknesses. In context, Paul had told of
the “thorn in the flesh” he suffered, a condition which he himself did not
explain to us, or define. Many scholars
have proposed several possibilities, but in the end have not arrived at a
conclusion as to Paul’s suffering. Was it a chronic illness he suffered over a
long period of time? Was his problem an
inner psychological struggle and regret over the time before his conversion to
Christianity when he went about persecuting and even trying to bring to death
the early Christians? Was it sorrow over
his fellow Jews who did not turn, believing, and accept the Lord Jesus
Christ? Or, since Paul describes it as a
‘thorn in the flesh,’ was it some debilitating pain like arthritis or perhaps
recurring migraine headaches? The fact
is, we do not know exactly what Paul meant by his affliction. This we do know: He had prayed for its removal, and the
problem was not lifted. But in the
process, God revealed an important truth to Paul, one that we all need to learn
and practice, regardless of what our personal or corporate problems are: “God’s
grace is sufficient for whatever eventuality we bear; His power is perfect for
whatever weakness we need to overcome, or to learn to endure.”
Our weakness can be a springboard for
revealing the power of God. Paul had
much to say about man’s weakness (and in particular his own) in comparison to
the power and strength of God. God chose
what is weak to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:27).
Regarding the resurrection, Paul wrote that we are “sown in weakness, but raised in power” (I Cor. 15; 43). We, as
Paul, can even “boast in weakness” so
that “the power of Christ can rest upon
me” (2 Cor. 12:9). Recall a time in
your life when you felt weak and vulnerable.
How did you handle that situation?
Did you cower and falter while facing difficulty too big for you to
handle, or did you turn to God and gain His grace which is always
sufficient? Which is always perfect for
our weakness? Sometimes when we hear of
other’s difficulties and how God brought them through trying times, we
ourselves can be encouraged to turn to God for His grace and sufficiency to
meet the challenges we face. Looking
back upon my life, I can recall many times when the way seemed uncertain and
problems loomed too large for me to handle.
One was when my beloved husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
disease. At first came denial, “This
situation is not so bad yet. We can overcome this malady and live with
it.” But as time moved along the reality
of dealing with a troubling and progressive disease became a twenty-four hour
responsibility. Decisions, once shared
over prayer, become the caregiver’s to make.
In my case, it became a major move from a place and people I loved to a
new residence, and major adjustments.
But in God’s mercy He paved the way and opened possibilities that proved
to be right and good. I remember one night
when I was especially troubled I called a dear friend and minister to “cry on
his shoulder.” When telling Rev. Charles
Walker the situation I faced, his immediate advice was, “Ethelene, this is
God’s provision for you and Grover.” And
that 24-hour period I had to make a major decision about my husband’s entry
into and care at Georgia War Veterans Home was immediately seen as a situation
when the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 was operable: “My
grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” And, indeed, “things worked together for good” (Romans 8:28).
Prayer. Lord, help the leaders of our nation to
recognize and depend upon Your grace and power. May they turn to Thee depending
upon Your sufficient grace to help in this time of need. In Jesus’ name.
