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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
December 20
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Today's Pathway:
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Yesterday Paul spoke of his thorn in the flesh, and the fact that when he petitioned the Lord to remove it, God's reply was,
"My grace is sufficient for thee".
The Lord then added,
"for my strength is made perfect in weakness".
This is a vitally important principle in understanding what God is doing in our lives and then choosing to be willing to continue forward in the face of tremendous opposition. We know that God has all power. The One Who created the universe out of nothing simply by speaking it into existence is certainly not limited by any problems that exist in my life. But God says that His supreme strength is "perfected" when I am weak. The word "perfected" means "to accomplish and complete something." God is all powerful, yet the fullness of His might only shows up as my personal strength diminishes. The natural tendency of mankind, whether saved or lost, is to try to solve their own problems by themselves. Is it not true that going to God in fervent prayer is often our last resort in times of crisis? We go to doctors, bankers, lawyers, friends, and family members, and when all our efforts fail then we go to God. What foolishness this is! God is the answer to whatever issue we are facing. But, as long as we are relying on our brains and our talents and our physical abilities we will fail to receive the true strength that we need. Let me put it this way: the more we trust in us, the less we trust in the Lord.
Because of this, God will allow weaknesses to come into our lives which push us back to Him. If we don't realize how much we need the Lord on a daily basis, He may put us in a position where it becomes obvious that our problems are too great for us to handle by ourselves. Once we understand that, then we can allow His strength to take over. Albert Barnes wrote,
"The strength which God imparts to His people is more completely manifested when His people feel that they are weak. It is not imparted to those who feel that they are strong, and who do not realize their need of Divine aid. It is not so completely manifested to those who are vigorous and strong, as to the feeble. It is when we are conscious that we are feeble, and when we feel our need of aid, that the Redeemer manifests his power to uphold, and imparts his purest consolations."
Paul writes in verse 9 that he glories in his infirmities. He has been saying for the past couple chapters that he does not want to boast about all the things that he has accomplished, but that he would boast about what God had done. Now he adds that he will glory in all the problems that he has encountered because it was through those crises that God's power was able to work through him to the fullest. Paul no longer has a desire to see his thorn in the flesh disappear; instead, he is thankful for it, for it is because of his infirmities that the power of God "rests" on him. The word "rest" means "to pitch a tent upon; and then to dwell in". Paul concludes in verse 10 that because he desires this indwelling divine power he now thinks well of ("take pleasure in") the trials and tribulations that he faces, for it is during those times of greatest physical and mental weakness that he has his greatest spiritual strength. Matthew Henry commented,
"This is a Christian paradox: when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of ourselves to Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from him, and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and grace."
Don't get bitter about your problems. We will be greater servants of the Lord when we have to rely fully on Him.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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