A Daily Devotion for Wednesday, May 6
- ontrakk
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
2Corinthians 12:1-10
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Paul comes across a bit “boastful” to me even when he describes his weakness. But there is no doubt he suffered much, and lived his life out to the very end committed to Christ. I truly have little to be boastful about. But I can be thankful for what God has provided for me, and that is a lot. There have been countless times in my life when God’s Holy Spirit has wrapped me up in peace. He has delivered me many, many times from feeling alone and sad, frightened or even panicky. When I am reminded by God that I am not alone, I have peace. “God is (truly) our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Holy Lord, you make me strong. I am nothing without you. Amen
Becky, transforming
2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Psalm 46:1. Strength is Overrated
Jesus' actions helped set so many examples for us to follow. One of the most important and often overlooked, was his cry from the cross to his Father--Why have you forsaken me? We must remember that no matter how little or large our problem is, we need to call out to God. Sometimes trying to be strong, epecially when you really don't feel that way, often does more damage emotionally. He wants us to call on him for strength.
Prayer: Gracios God, you have taught us so much. May we always remember that you are close by to hear our cry. AMEN
2Corinthians 12:1-10/Psalm 46:1
When Paul finally met with Peter, I wonder if they discussed Jesus saying, “take up your cross and follow me.” If so, did Paul remember this when afflicted by the thorn in his side? There are many theories as to what that thorn may have been. Its ongoing mystery may serve to make it more relatable to anyone as each of us has one thorn or another that is our cross to bear in this life. Just as for Paul, these things serve as reminders that God’s grace is sufficient for us. It is comforting to know that when we are the least strong our weakness is used by God to renew our strength.
Prayer - Lord,…