2 Corinthians 12

Walking in Wisdom - God's Overflowing Grace (2 Corinthians 12)

8:30 PM



Please read: 2 Corinthians 12

I know for sure that having to go through some kind of affliction is not an easy task! All of us have experienced pain and suffering of some kind, but most important, is how we deal when in this situation.  Especially now that we are going through this world-wide pandemic!

Jesus before warning his disciples of the afflictions they were to endure, reassured them that in Him they would have His peace and would overcome with Him, too!

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” (John 16:33 AMP)

Isn`t this something we should treasure as a promise for us too?
Paul was not the exception, he also endured many hardships throughout his life and ministry, but in today´s scripture Paul speaks of a ¨thorn in the flesh¨ that he begged the Lord to remove.

“ Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! “ (Vs.7 AMP)

The Lord did not remove this thorn, but gave him the strength to bear it:
“… but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” (Vs.9 AMP)

"God will always honour our prayers, and sometimes it is a golden answer to deny us our request, and give us the very opposite of what we seek… What a sad thing it must be not to be a believer in Christ, because thorns we shall have if we are not in Christ, but those thorns will not be blessings to us?.” (C. H. Spurgeon)

Paul in the following verses continued boasting with joy of the power of God that enabled him to thrive in his ministry; he was certain that this affliction, this “thorn on the flesh” -that God would not deliver him from- would keep him steadfast and humble. 


“There is sublime joy in holy boasting of the power of God in a life that is totally dependent on Him.  There is sublime peace in accepting the sufficiency of God´s grace by allowing Him to be strong in us where we are weak.” Marie Chapian

What an example we have in Paul: God’s Holy Spirit working through a totally surrendered life!  Paul knew there was a holy purpose in his affliction! God did not spare Paul from the suffering, but gave him the power to conquer it!
Let us consider: Are our weaknesses the opportunity for God´s power to be made perfect in us?

Before I close, let us reflect on these words by Matthew Henry:
“Grace signifies the goodwill of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified.”

This is my prayer for us here at Women in the Word.
Mari



2 Corinthians 12

My Weakness, His Strength (2 Corinthians 12)

9:22 PM


Paul was privileged to have an intense and personal encounter with the risen Christ. Through Paul, the ministry and mission work of Christ spread through large regions. Paul was known and talked about and sought after in those early days of the Church. He was also privileged with grand spiritual revelations.  He could have allowed that to be a source of personal glory and prestige, but He chose instead to find contentment in Christ alone. 
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (v7)
We don’t know exactly what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was but we do know that it was something Satan meant to discourage Paul and breed discontent with God and life. Paul, however, chose to embrace a unique perspective on his trial. He asked God multiple times to remove it from his life, but He was also willing to accept that God could use it for a positive purpose: to keep him humble and focused on His dependence on God. 
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (9)
I think that Paul knew the danger of being too self-reliant, self-focused and self-confident. He realized that “weaknesses” were opportunities for Him to be reminded that His true source of strength and value was in Christ. 
No one welcomes difficulties or trials but they are part of life. As a Christian, we can learn to remain content and to find benefit in what we encounter in this life by keeping our focus on God’s Sovereign control. Satan may try to weigh us down and frustrate us but God can strengthen and empower us as we trust our circumstances to Him. 
Realize that there will be ups and downs in this life but endeavour to remain content in your circumstances by focusing on who you are “ in Christ”. Instead of grumbling and becoming bitter or angry about difficult circumstances, try to surrender those circumstances to God’s will, asking Him to use those circumstances for good and for spiritual growth. It is a great test of faith but it was the example of Paul to us who had learned to be content in “all circumstances”. May we, like Paul, become strong!

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”(10)