Society tends to pick their champions from the best and most physically fit crowd. That would seem to make sense, right? We want our athletes top-notch, our political and business leaders brilliant, and movie stars gorgeous. We know that if our resume isn’t the best, we shouldn’t expect to get the job. God has a surprise for us, though, in our Scripture for today. He turns this whole thinking upside down, for He says He can best use us when we are weakest! Let’s look into this passage.
Paul opens this passage by describing a vision he had several years prior. These visions possibly took place when Paul lay near death after having been stoned (Acts 14;19-20). There were other times Paul came near death (II Corinthians 11:23-25), but he does not specify the exact occasion. In this vision Paul was taken up into the third heaven, and shown spectacular things (vs 2-4). The 1st heaven is the atmosphere around the earth, producing rain, snow, etc. The 2nd is outer space with the planets, stars, and galaxies. The 3rd heaven is paradise, where God dwells. Many of the religious leaders in Paul’s day, and certainly today as well, like to boast of their qualifications, education, and achievements. Paul could have boasted, as well, especially that God honored him with this vision, but he wouldn’t (vs 5-6). Instead he would boast in his infirmities. We would think that this makes no sense! Paul goes on to explain, though.
This vision Paul had, where he was transported up into heaven, where he was shown such wonderful things, could easily have led to boasting, and thinking too highly of himself. In order to keep him humble, Paul was given what he called a “thorn in the flesh” (vs 7). God had given him extraordinary revelations and spiritual truths that could lead to pride, and he felt this affliction would remind him how dependent he was on God. Sufferings kept him close to God. This thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, was never specifically identified. It might have been a physical affliction, a temptation, or it could have been an outward torment like a demonized enemy who followed him, trying to destroy the work he was doing for the Lord.
Whatever the thorn was, it was distressing, and Paul went to the Lord 3 times in special, fervent prayer asking for it to be removed (vs 8). God denied his request, but gave him grace to endure the ordeal. Sometimes our own prayers for healing or deliverance from some other affliction are not answered. Like with Paul, if we turn to, and lean on God, He will give us the grace we need, as well.
God’s divine grace is constantly available (vs 9). Though the thorn was never removed, Jesus continually supplied Paul with grace. The weaker the person, the more His grace shines forth. When we are really helpless and without any help, resources, or power, we must depend on God’s help and power. Only through Jesus can we triumph, and then all glory and praise belong to Him. God works in our weaknesses. When we are weak His strength accomplishes what we need to do.
Paul embraced the hardships and struggles that God brought into his life. He knew God’s love and grace was more than sufficient when he was at his lowest, where pride cannot survive (vs 10). Paul knew that thinking we are strong in our own abilities and resources tempts us to work in our own power rather than God’s. That will only lead to pride and disaster. When we are weak we will turn to God’s power and strength, and He can then work mightily through us.
Are any of you dealing with any sort of affliction or setback, and feel that God can’t possibly use you? God’s power is displayed by using weak people. That should give us hope and courage. Recognize our limitations and rely on God. Weakness helps develop Christian character, and draws us closer to God in dependence. God will supply us with all the grace we need for whatever the trial. The God who has been sufficient until now can be trusted to the end!
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